December 27, 2011 > Trees of Angels 2011 Lights Up the Holidays Trees of Angels 2011 Lights Up the Holidays Over 600 community members attended the holiday tree-lighting ceremonies and Children's Holiday Breakfast, in Fremont, Union City, and Newark as part of the 16th annual Trees of Angels campaign. Mark Bernardin, owner of several local McDonald's restaurants, and the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation work in partnership on Trees of Angels in the Tri-City area as part of a joint commitment to support local hospice care. The 2011 Trees of Angels events commenced with a tree-lighting ceremony on Monday, November 28, at the Bernardin Family McDonald's located on Mission Boulevard and 680 in Fremont. The Prince of Peace Hand Bell Ringers played holiday favorites and Fremont Mayor, Bob Wasserman threw the switch to light the tree. Two nights later, the Nakamura Clinic hosted a tree lighting ceremony Union City. The James Logan Jazz Singers entertained the crowd while Foundation Vice-President, Carol Dutra-Vernaci, lit the tree. A final tree lighting ceremony took place on a chilly night in Newark. Mayor-Elect Al Nagy was emcee as the Newark Memorial Advanced Choir engaged the crowd to join them in singing holiday favorites. The Children's Holiday Breakfast was held on Saturday, December 3 on the campus of Washington Hospital. More than 200 attendees enjoyed breakfast provided by the Bernardin Family McDonald's, as well as a magic show from Ronald McDonald and a photo session with Santa and Mrs. Claus. "The Foundation would like to thank all those who volunteered their time to help make these events possible," said Angus Cochran, Executive Director of the Foundation. "Sponsors and donors generously contributed over $ 24,000 this year. Thank you to our sponsors and all who attended these festive holiday events." If you would like to make a donation to Trees of Angels in support of local hospice care, please contact the Foundation office at (510) 791-3428 or email: foundation@whhs.com Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation would like to extend a warm thank you to the Trees of Angels Sponsors: BENEFACTOR R.K. Electric, Inc. HARMONY Freed & Associates Fremont Bank Foundation Gonsalves & Kozachenko ANGEL Keith and Verna Krugman PHOTOGRAPHY Washington Township Medical Foundation DOVE John Frances Fremont Ford Gradetech Inc. Niles Rotary Club, Fremont Rotary Club of Fremont STAR Gift Gallery Gerry Harrison Pan Pacific Bank Dolores Rose Rotary Club of Newark Washington Hospital Employees' Association Washington Outpatient Surgery Center PRESENTING SPONSORS Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation The Bernardin Family McDonald's Restaurants