Any holiday can be difficult for those who have lost a loved one and Christmas is no exception. 

In an effort to comfort and give hope to those who are suffering during the holiday season, the Airdrie and District Hospice Society is lighting it's Tree of Hope on Sunday, December 2nd at 5:00 pm.  The tree is located at the Airdrie Festival of Lights which kicks off this weekend in Nose Creek Park.

The President of the Airdrie and District Hospice Society, Lise Blanchette, explains what's happening during the event.

"We have a memorial service and a service to give hope to those who are suffering right now.  We have a singing group, a lighting of candles ceremony, we have a short service, words from myself and the City."

Blanchette says holidays are hard times when you've lost someone.  "They're always there in your mind.  This is something we do at this time to also help people through the holidays.  Give them time to honour them, or remember them.  Give hope to them."

The Tree of Hope is also a fundraising event for the Hospice Society.  Blanchette says, "Everybody who's signed up (on the hospice website) is going to get a special token being made by one of our volunteers, a hand calligraphy written with the name of their loved one on it."

The Airdrie and District Hospice Society provides respite care and compassionate care to people in the community needing it and one day hopes to bring a hospice to the City of Airdrie so people don't have to go outside athe community to find the care needed.

Blanchette says they've been working in a rural coalition of hospice societies which includes Strathmore, Cochrane, and Okotoks Hospice Societies.  The group has been working with Alberta Health Services and has been making significant progress, although Blanchette says she can't elaborate as the group is waiting on funding proposals.

The Society started a Grief Program in October and will have another starting January 17th.  It's a six week program that Airdrie Hospice got excellent feedback about from the participants involved.

Blanchette feels Airdrie residents are starting to become more familiar with the Airdrie and District Hospice Society and are beginning to seek out their services during times of need. 

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