Ogeechee Area Hospice (OAH) in Statesboro, Georgia, hosted a special evening on December 3, 2024 to celebrate the ‘Joys of the Season.’ It was a triumphant celebration of Christmas and the holidays, bringing warmth and togetherness to the community.
Despite the cold winter night, about 150-200 guests gathered, creating a warm and festive holiday spirit, filled with joy. Music was provided by the Southeast Bulloch High School Advanced Choir and The Crossroads Community Church Worship Team. Dr. Jesse Scott, OAH Board member, shared his personal experience with OAH with the loss of his parents.
Click here to watch a live stream of the program.
Tinker Lanier, Business Development Manager at Ogeechee Area Hospice, shared, “'Mistletoe and Memories’ is for people that have lost a loved one to come, enjoy, and remember them with us here on Earth. It's okay to celebrate the holidays with our other loved ones and make new memories."
Each year, ‘Mistletoe and Memories’ is a heartwarming event for all ages. With visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, pet therapy dogs, holiday music, and the ‘Memory Tree’ in the chapel, it offers a beautiful way to honor loved ones by tying a ribbon in their memory.
The tree lighting ceremony is a touching tribute, keeping their memories alive in a meaningful way.
Suzanne Watkins, a volunteer at OAH whose mother and grandmother both passed at the facility, remembers, “The 'Mistletoe and Memories’ celebration brings back special memories. Christmas was our favorite time of the year, hanging a bell on the tree at hospice, and the lighting of the tree brings back happy memories of decorating with Mom and Grandmother.”
A tasty reception donated by volunteers and staff members included light appetizers and finger foods including meatballs, pigs in a blanket, chicken nuggets, ham and cheese sliders, chicken salad with crackers, pimento cheese, cupcakes, fruit trays, veggie trays, holiday candy, and punch.
Tammy Horton, Volunteer Coordinator for OAH, affirmed the spirit of the event perfectly.
”'Mistletoe and Memories’ is a special time to come together and remember loved ones. This event is not only for hospice families but for anyone in our community who has lost a loved one. Holidays bring a lot of different emotions, so this event is a way to show support and encourage families as they navigate this time of year," she shared. "Traditionally, holidays are to be happy, but when you experience a loss, there is sadness."
This is a time to bring joy, peace, and togetherness to all in 2024, and Ogeechee Area Hospice definitely contributed!
Purchase a "light" in memory or honor of a loved one
One of the special parts of this annual tradition is the opportunity to make a $5 contribution to Ogeechee Area Hospice to purchase a "light" on the Christmas tree in memory or to honor a loved one.
You can continue to purchase the lights throughout this season by sending a check to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30459. Please put the name of the person you are remembering and who it is given by.
Ogeechee Area Hospice is a tremendous gift from our community to our community.
