The Trees of Angels campaign, which raises money and support for local hospice care, is continuing through January. You can show your support of local hospice care services on Dec. 9 for the tree lighting ceremony at City of Newark’s Silliman Center. Keep in mind that donations in support of Trees of Angels are welcome all year long.

More than 100 community members attended the first tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 9, at the Fremont Hub and enjoyed entertainment provided by the Living Water Vocal Ensemble, a 25-member select high school vocal group from Fremont Christian High School, directed by Darryl Guzman.

Brent Hodson, executive director of Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation and Ellen Cuozzo with Pathways Hospice welcomed the crowd and gave brief comments before the tree lighting ceremony.

On Nov. 19 and 20, Washington Hospital hosted the 5th Annual Magical Forest benefit, which supports the Trees of Angels campaign and the Fremont Symphony Orchestra. The event boasted a champagne celebration and tree viewingon Nov. 19. The benefit concluded with a "Musical Luncheon" and a special tree auction and raffle for the gorgeously decorated holiday trees displayed in Conrad E. Anderson, M.D. Auditorium.

More than 150 people gathered for the tree lighting on Nov. 29 at McDonald’s Restaurant at Mission Boulevard and 680. Guests included newly elected Mayor of Fremont Bob Wasserman, Fremont City Councilmembers Dominic Dutra and Steve Cho, Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty and Washington Township Health Care District Board Members Michael Wallace and Dr. Bernard Stewart.

Supervisor Haggerty presented commendations on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of Alameda County to Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, Pathways Hospice and McDonald’s, noting the significant contribution each organization makes to the community.

Eugene Stickel, the husband of a hospice patient, spoke during the event about how much hospice and the care and support his family received from nursing professionals helped them in their time of need.

St. Joseph Church Adult Choir performed and a whimsical tree, donated by Dirk Lorenz and Fremont Flowers, was decorated with McDonald’s Happy Meal toys and raffled at the end of the event. Sue Querner and the staff at The Gift Gallery decorated the tree.

A tree lighting ceremony was held at the Holiday Inn Express in Union City on Nov. 30. The event was a Union City Chamber of Commerce Mixer in addition to the Trees of Angels tree lighting event, with guests including Union City Police Chief, Randy Ulibarri, and Washington Township Health Care District Board Member Bernard Stewart.

Music during the event was provided by Exclusive Sound Productions with food and beverages provided by Southern Wine and Spirits and eMocha Café and Chevy’s Restaurant, Chili’s Bar and Grill and The Rose Garden/Roses, A Chinese Café, respectively.

The 40-foot tree was decorated by Lonnie Robinson and his staff at R.K. Electric. Chief Ulibarri performed the tree lighting honors. A special thanks goes to the Holiday Inn Express and manager Ashish Pujara for their hospitality.

On Dec. 4, community members joined together for a Breakfast with Santa and Ronald McDonald also held at Conrad E. Anderson, M.D. Auditorium. Kids enjoyed a visit with Ronald and Santa Claus and parents had the opportunity to support hospice care and have some fun with the kids.

The Trees of Angels, now in its ninth year, is an annual campaign that raises funds, while broadening awareness of hospice care. The first local tree associated with the campaign, located at the McDonald’s restaurant on Mission Boulevard and Interstate 680, is a special "tree of lights" made up of 12,000 lights and adorned with special light ornaments in the forms of angels, doves and stars.

Other Trees of Angels are located throughout the local community and celebrated during the holiday season. All proceeds go toward ensuring that local individuals and families know of and have access to quality and compassionate end of life care. You can make a difference in the community by coming out to support these special events where families remember loved ones and honor their memories. Please join Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation for the following event: