 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
11/23/2016
28th Annual Hospice of San Joaquin "Tree of Lights"
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(Stockton, CA) Ring in the holiday season! The Hospice of San Joaquin and Delta College illuminated the holiday sky at the 28th Annual Hospice of San Joaquin
"Tree of Lights" Ceremony, Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Delta’s main
Pacific Avenue entrance. With one of the biggest turnouts in years, members of a local
Hospice Services family flipped the giant PG&E switch, painting the tree
with 1600 multicolored lights. This year, The family of Ella Buffington and Lawina Marshall (Cedric Anderson and Lawana Bush) had the honor. Cedric Anderson presented a moving speech about hospice services prior to the tree-lighting.
A seasonal Stockton favorite, this popular and festive ceremony celebrated a dazzling opening to the holiday season as one of Delta’s huge Pacific Avenue evergreens bloomed to colorful life. College staff likes to boast, “We believe Delta has the best holiday tree in Stockton!” Attendees enjoyed 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...
2016 Hospice of San Joaquin Tree of Lights |
Tree of Lights Program Cover Contest winner Neve Giannini receives the award from Lou Meyer, President, Hospice of San Joaquin Board of Directors.
Excellent turnout at this year's event! |
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