Families honour lost loved ones in Light Up the Night event
On Thursday evening, St. Joseph’s Hospice of London hosted ‘Light up the Night’ in-person for the first time since last year’s event was virtual due to COVID-19.
Dozens gathered at the event outside the building, where people enjoyed live music from local artists including Brent Jackso and Sarina Haggarty, sipped on hot drinks and wrote messages to their loved ones who have passed.
“Sometimes the holidays are a difficult time for people so it really is about bringing everyone together,” said Colleen Harris, director and chief development officer with St. Joseph’s. “Let's just lean on people and make it a little brighter this Christmas season.”
The event, presented by Lerners Lawyers, allowed people to purchase a lantern, put a family member’s name on a bag that holds the lantern, along with a personal message inside to commemorate a loved one they’ve lost.
The donations collected from the lanterns will help cover the cost of care for patients at St. Joseph’s, said Janet Groen, the executive director.
“This year we sold over 300 lanterns which will be lit in honour of someone,” said Harris.
Their goal was to raise $50,000 this year. As of Thursday night, they had managed to collect $42,000 in donations.
“It's important for us to continue these services not only here within our residence but within the community, because we offer many services in London,” Harris concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.