November 20, 2012 > Trees of Angels Lights Up the Holidays Trees of Angels Lights Up the Holidays Annual Celebration Supports Local Hospice Care Join the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation in celebrating the holiday season at their annual Trees of Angels events. Monday, November 26 kicks off the series of festive gatherings, which includes three tree lighting ceremonies and the Children's Holiday Breakfast. Tree lighting ceremonies will offer entertainment, refreshments, and raffles with city officials and representatives from the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation presiding. The Children's Holiday Breakfast on Saturday, December 1 offers the opportunity to meet and mingle with Ronald McDonald while enjoying entertainment, raffle prizes and a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus! The breakfast is $10 per person and reservations are recommended. "Trees of Angels is our way of bringing some holiday cheer to our neighbors in the community," said Mark Bernardin, Chair of the Trees of Angels Committee. "It gives us the opportunity to celebrate with our friends in Fremont, Union City, and Newark, while supporting hospice care services for Tri-City residents." A Holiday Tradition The Trees of Angels campaign started in 1996 and over the years has helped hundreds of local people get high-quality, local hospice care. Since it's inception, the Tree of Angels has raised nearly $450,000. Tree-lighting ceremonies are scheduled to take place at the McDonald's Restaurant at the corner of Mission Boulevard and I-680 in Fremont on Monday, November 26, Newark City Hall in Newark on Monday, December 3, and the Nakamura Clinic in Union City on Wednesday, December 5. The ever-popular Children's Holiday Breakfast is held in Washington West on December 1 - make your reservations today! "We are very grateful for the support of our sponsors who make Trees of Angels possible each year, particularly our benefactor sponsor, Lonnie Robinson and RK Electric," said Angus Cochran, executive director of the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation. "Bernardin Family McDonald's has also been a great partner, providing the food, volunteers and raffle prizes each year for the Children's Holiday Breakfast. Thanks to our sponsors and community supporters, we are able to support local hospice care." Compassionate Care Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources for patients who are in the end stages of a terminal illness, when the focus of care changes from cure to comfort. The Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation was created in 1983 to enhance the Washington Hospital Healthcare System by increasing public awareness and financial support. Each year the Foundation holds events such as the Tree of Angels, Annual Golf Tournament and Top Hat Dinner Dance to raise funds for equipment and services that will improve patient care. For more information about the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, call (510) 791-3428 or visit www.whhs.com/foundation. Trees of Angels Event Schedule Monday, November 26, 6 p.m. Tree Lighting at McDonald's Restaurant 42800 Mission Boulevard in Fremont Saturday, December 1, 8 a.m. Breakfast with Santa and Ronald McDonald Washington West, 2500 Mowry Avenue in Fremont Reservations recommended, $10 per person Monday, December 3, 6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting at Newark City Hall 37101 Newark Boulevard in Newark Wednesday, December 5, 5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting at the Nakamura Clinic 33077 Alvarado-Niles Road in Union City