THANKS to wonderful community participation and good planning, Thursday evening’s annual Hospice Tree of Light function was highly successful.
While the occasion highlighted the lost lives of loved ones, represented by globes purchased by family and friends, the event was held in a positive spirit of solidarity and support.
Hosted at the gardens in front of the Richards Bay Civic Centre, activities included the symbolic lighting of the tree and a display by various biker clubs as well as the Tangawizi Honda dealership.
Guests picnicked on the grounds and supported the various food stalls, while a special attraction saw the children enter a tent to meet ‘a most important person’.
With the emphasis on the value and sanctity of every human life, programme director Keith Eaton whetted their appetites by telling the youngsters how special the person in the tent is and how there is none other like that person.
The children entered one by one to find themselves looking into a mirror and thus learnt how significant their own lives are.
Pastor George van der Walt shared from the scriptures and opened in prayer, with Zululand Hospice General Manager, Sbo Magagulu delivering the welcoming address and explaining the origin and purpose of the tree of light.
Attendees joined hands for a minute’s silence, ‘passing on the love’, followed by the lighting of the tree by Hospice patron Ann Gates.
Ann was given the honour in recognition of the 23 years’ service she gave to the organisation.
