The Camarillo Hospice Tree of Life will be lit for the first time this year in a ceremony Saturday, December 7, beginning at 4 p.m. at Constitution Park in Camarillo.

All community members are invited to participate.

“At its heart, the program is a memorial service,” according to Camarillo Hospice President/CEO Sandy Nirenberg. “It’s an opportunity for people to come together at this most festive time of year, even if they are deeply sad or grieving, to remember and honor those who helped form their lives.” Harpist Debora LaMarchina will provide music and all those in attendance will be invited to place a personally inscribed memorial ornament on the Tree of Life quilt and say a few words if they choose.

“The tree shines brightly with love, hope and gratitude – each light representing aloved one who has passed away or made a difference in someone else’s life,” says Theresa McConville, Camarillo Hospice Board member and chair of the Tree of Life. “We suggest a donation of $20 per light. All donations support the free services Camarillo Hospice provides to members of our community,” she adds. Donations are accepted and lights will be added through December 31, 2013.

Top sponsors of this year’s Tree of Life are AlmaVia of Camarillo and the Pleasant Valley Lions Club. Other major sponsors include Dennis and Joan Gaiser, Dr. Michael and Ann Ragen, Dr. Christopher Smith, Ellen Smith, Union Bank and Ventura Vintage Rods.

The names of all those remembered and honored, together with the names of the people paying them tribute, are written in the perpetual Camarillo Hospice Tree of Life Book of Lights.

Founded in 1978, Camarillo Hospice is a volunteer hospice and grief counseling center that offers practical and emotional assistance, including caregiver respite and friendly visiting, to individuals and families who are facing a life-limiting illness of any nature and/or grieving the loss of a loved one. Bereavement services, including individual and family counseling as well asongoing support groups, are available to any Ventura County resident who is grieving a loss, regardless of whether hospice was involved with the patient and regardless of when the loss occurred. All services are free of charge.

For further information regarding the Tree of Life or the programs and services of Camarillo Hospice, visit www.camarillohospice.orgor call 805-389-6870.