WINNEMUCCA - On Saturday, Dec. 10, area residents gathered around the tree in front of the Winnemucca Convention Center to remember their loved ones in a very special way.
That evening, the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice introduced the "Lasting Lights of Love" Memorial Christmas Tree Lighting Service to the community.
The new Christmas tradition, which followed the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Parade of Lights, offered local residents the chance to pay special honor to loved ones who have passed on.
And local residents took advantage of the chance to memorialize their loved ones in light.
In all, 138 people were remembered by Winnemucca Mayor Di An Putnam, who read off names during a short ceremony that included the official lighting of the community tree.
For a suggested $20 per light donation to the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, a light and ornament were placed on the tree by City of Winnemucca crews in honor of each loved one.
After, community residents are invited to enjoy caroling on the convention lawn and hot chocolate. Santa also was on scene, walking around and mingling with the crowd.
Humboldt Volunteer Hospice Executive Director Sherry Smith called the ceremony touching and beautiful.
"We are so grateful to everyone who had a part in making our first annual memorial tree such a special event for our community," said Smith.
She noted the special efforts of Mayor Di An Putnam, the Grass Valley Baptist Church worship team, Pastor Gayle Basten, Roger Sutton, City of Winnemucca crew members, Santa Claus, the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce, True Value Hardware, Doug Cain as well as all those who supported the now-annual fundraiser through their participation.
"All their special contributions truly helped make the 'Lights of Love' a community celebration of cherished memories," said Smith.
"More important," she added, "it helped us raise more money to help our community's residents."
This year's honorees included: Robert Murray, Dorothy Neeley, Tony Scheet, Tina Scheet, AJ Myrhow, Margaret Myrhow, Lester Rate Sr., Lester Rate Jr., Janet Rate, Velma Harjo, Curtis "CJ" Johnson, Louis Chambliss, Paul Chambliss, Gladys Chambliss, Grace Williams, Clarence Williams, Betty Schaffner Hood, Marcus Schaffner, Joyce Stoker, Dennis Quinn, Harry House, Barbara Chambliss, Dawn Maden, Marilyn Bednorz, Sandy Napier, Lorraine Putnam, John W. Grieve, John C. Grieve, Jacob Lee Eary, Bode Howard, Ray Chesser, Nell Reddin Foster, Grandma Sylvia, Dennis Wayne Corkhill, Richalene Pellett Cline, James Donald Johnson, Erwin C Breithaupt, James Watterson, Dorateo "Skeeter" Lasa, Nell Foster, Kenneth Knight, Frank Burrows Sr., Maria Evans, Tony Coutts, Skip Coutts, Ruth Evans, Lloyd Evans, Jan Wainwright, Doris Ellis, Tom Moser, Owen Schuelke, Melvin Block, Amber Michelle Black, Esther Stroud Chambliss, Edward F Klemish, Louise Sparkman, Jim Ludlow, Clyde Andress, Len Harman, Dave Shepherd, Norma Shepherd, David W Sharp, Dan Garis, Sherril Rackley, Louis Chambliss, Dana Lynn Chambliss, Dusty Lockaby, Rob Sonenson, Roxie Slagle, Marilyn Hendryx, Walt Hendryx, Dale Hendryx, Nate Lunen III, Ryan Lunen, Nate Lunen Jr., Mary Lunen, Kathy Hayes, Gary Schubert, Floyd "Doc" Verner, Ann Haile, Jeannie Sabin, Sylvia Gettig, Don Jones, Justin Berg, Doris Ricci, Cassi Pettit, Rev. Robert E Hilderman, Don Glasgow, Rob Glasgow, Richard Humphries, Roberta Balduc, Glen Phillip Neville Stothart, Jeremy Grasmick, Justin Alan Sharp, Lois McErquiaga Santos, Ashley Dawn Marriott, Cole James Kilpack, Cody Kilpack, Christopher Lee Cates, Augusta Huffman, Elmo Huffman, Kim Bowers, Barbara Keating, Logan Hunnewill, Harvey Hunnewill, Luis Antonio Covarrubias, Tommy Metcalf, Andrew John Blanton, Lee Malcolm Toland, Benjamin Frank Aylesworth, Norman Rempel, Carolyn Apolzer, Darin Darby, Camryn Jade Darby, Marvel Eastin Burnside, Betty Lou Lynch, Steve Stevenson, Norman Adian, Sharron Reynolds, Richard Reynolds Sr., Richard Alan Reynolds Jr., Rita B Roman, Juan Rodriguez, Dawn Maden, Ruth Webster, Raymond Blouin, Michael Case, Dorothy Green, James Green, Colleen Singletary, Monica McNeill, Jim Phillips, Robyn Bullock, Domingo Aranguena, Kate Aranguena, John Robert Martin, Daniel Schiermeister, Ron Gates and all who have suffered illness.
Smith said the new community tradition will continue in December 2012.
The Humboldt Volunteer Hospice is committed to honoring and supporting individuals in the Humboldt County community who are suffering from a chronic, debilitating or terminal illness. All hospice care is provided at no cost to patients. Families do not need a doctor's referral in order to access hospice services.
For more information on the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, please contact HVH Executive Director Sherry Smith at (775) 625-4263.
The nonprofit also operates the Frugal Flamingo Thrift Shop, located at 720 E. Fourth St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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