 San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton 95207 |
Media Advisory For More Information Contact Jim Vergara Marketing, Communications and Outreach (209) 954-5131 jvergara@deltacollege.edu |
For Immediate
Release
11/14/2016
28th Annual Hospice of San Joaquin
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(Stockton, CA) Ring in the holiday season! The Hospice of San Joaquin and Delta College illuminate the holiday sky at the 28th Annual Hospice of San Joaquin
"Tree of Lights" Ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m. at Delta’s main
Pacific Avenue entrance. As is traditional, members of a local
Hospice Services family will flip the giant PG&E switch, painting the tree
with 1600 multicolored lights. This year, the family of Cedric Anderson will have that honor - a moment they will cherish forever!
A seasonal Stockton favorite, this popular and festive ceremony celebrates a dazzling opening to the holiday season as one of Delta’s huge Pacific Avenue evergreens blooms to colorful life. College staff likes to boast, “We believe Delta has the best holiday tree in Stockton!” Attendees can enjoy a cup of hot cider and cookie while entertained with choral classics by the Delta Singers, directed by Bruce Southard.
A dedicated crew of volunteers from PG&E decorates the tree each year. The team coordinates two aerial lifts, which allows the crew to wrap almost 3,000 ft. of light cable around Delta's huge fir tree. In addition, about 3,000 ft. of garland trims the tree…over one mile of decorations! No easy task!
Bobby Severson coordinates the decoration effort for PG&E. No novice, Bobby has been a volunteer with the decoration crew from the beginning. Severson adds, "My dad actually built the giant PG&E switch for the event! We usually have the same group of PG&E volunteers each year. We don't have it down to a science, but what once took two days now only takes one. It's a wonderful cause."
“The staff at Delta College takes pride in ownership of the Stockton Tree of Lights,” says Jennifer Starbuck, Hospice of San Joaquin Development Manager. “You can tell the work they do comes from the heart. Delta’s Hospice Tree of Lights is a landmark during the holiday season. It is a beacon of love and remembrance in our community.”
In 2008, the family of Susannah Kelley lit the tree. Flipping the switch were her four children, Hunter, Claire, Devon and eldest daughter Trina Garrett. The night made a lasting impression on Trina. Trina returned to the Hospice of San Joaquin eight years later as a college grad and volunteer in search of a way to give back. Now, Trina is the Hospice of San Joaquin’s Multimedia Coordinator. “The most impactful thing about coming back to work at Hospice is seeing all the effort that goes into the care my mother received. We were blessed to have Hospice care in her last couple months. It made the transition much easier on my family. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to return and help facilitate that same level of care to others.”
(2008) Susannah Kelly Family: (L-R) Jim Garrett, Hunter, Claire, Devon & Trina Garrett
As Delta College enters its 28th year as host for Stockton's Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of Lights, the ceremony has an important purpose - to remember and honor loved ones that hold special places in your heart by dedicating a light on the Tree of Lights. Names of honorees and donors are placed on a marquee at the base of the tree through December 31. Proceeds from the Tree of Lights help the Hospice of San Joaquin provide the highest level of care for terminally ill patients, their families and the bereaved of our community.
Family and
friends are invited to remember and honor loved ones by dedicating a light on
San Joaquin Delta College’s Tree of Lights. To dedicate a light in memory of a loved one, call (209) 957-3888, or visit www.hospicesj.org/treeoflights. Light up a
light…Light up a life...
Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of
Lights Ceremonies
Get in the Holiday Spirit!
Tracy
Saturday, November 19th at 6:00 pm.
Hosted by City of Tracy
333 Civic Center Dr, Tracy
Tree is located in front of City Hall
Stockton
Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:00 pm
Hosted by San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Avenue, Stockton
Ripon
Monday, November 28th at 6:00 pm.
Hosted by the City of Ripon, Ripon Chamber of Commerce and
Community & Youth Services Commission
Tree is located at Veterans Park, 311 First St.
Escalon
Tuesday, November 29th at 6:00 pm.
Hosted by City of Escalon & Escalon Chamber of Commerce
Tree is located at Main Street Park, Corner of Main & 2nd Street
Manteca
Wednesday, November 30th at 6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Doctors Hospital of Manteca
1205 E North, Manteca
Tree is located at the corner of North and Cottage
Lodi
Thursday, December 1st at 5:30 p.m.
Hosted by City of Lodi
Tree is located at 221 W Pine St, Lodi,
Tree lighting precedes the Light Parade
Rio Vista
Saturday, December 3rd, 5:30 pm.
Hosted by Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce
Tree is located at Rio Vista City Hall, 1 Main Street,
Tree lighting precedes the lighted boat parade
Lockeford
Saturday, December 3rd at 6:00 pm.
Hosted by Lockeford District Guild #579
Tree is located at Wells Fargo Bank, 19000 N. HWY 88, Lockeford
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