‘Light Up a Life’ Events Scheduled by Hospices

Two South Bay home hospice programs are conducting “Light Up a Life” programs this month to honor the memory of patients who have died and to raise funds for local hospice work.

The Hospice Foundation in Torrance, which cared for 700 patients this year, will launch “Light Up a Life” today in front of Buffums Department Store at the Peninsula Center in Rolling Hills Estates. Santa Claus will arrive in a horse-drawn carriage at 5 p.m., and a tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.. There will be singing by Los Cancioneros and the Chorale of South Bay Conservatory, as well as entertainment by the Jim Gamble puppets.

On Wednesday at 6 p.m., the foundation will hold a reception at Glendale Federal Bank at the corner of Hawthorne and Sepulveda boulevards in Torrance. The tree atop the building will be lighted for the holiday season that evening.

The San Pedro Peninsula Home Care and Hospice will have a “Light Up a Life Memorial Service and Tree Lighting Ceremony” Thursday at 7 p.m. in the main lobby of San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, 1300 W. 7th St. Ceremonies will include a performance by the Contemporary Ensemble, a choir from Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The hospice program served 110 patients and their families this year.

“Light Up a Life” is timed to coincide with National Hospice Month in November.

Mildred Sokolski, development director for the foundation, said the annual campaign comes at a particularly difficult time for patients and their families. “For many patients, this is their last holiday, and we want to do anything we can to make them and their families more comfortable and happier,” she said.

Sokolski said the observance also calls attention to hospice services, in which terminally ill people are cared for at home during their final days. Care also is provided in AIDS hospice houses.

The foundation has mailed 10,000 letters to South Bay residents asking for contributions and has received more than $7,000 so far. Donations also may be made at the Peninsula Center and Glendale Federal events.

At San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, a donation of $15 or more will light a bulb on the hospice tree in honor of or in memory of someone. People who wish to donate may call Mary Cross, support groups coordinator, at 832-3311, Ext. 6284.