Prairie Home Hospice and Community Care’s Light To Remember event was originally created as a memorial event that quickly turned into our very first established fundraising event here at Prairie Home Hospice soon after we opened our first Hospice Home in the early 1990s. It is a very special event that allows individuals, families, and/or businesses to purchase lights in remembrance of loved ones who have passed, or who are currently going through difficult health problems. The “light” that is initially purchased actually represents one light within several strands that are beautiful decorated and hung on a large tree in the center of five different surrounding communities. Lights can be purchased at any donation price but the suggested price is $15 per light. We typically end up with over well over 500 lights purchased throughout all of the communities that we serve. Of course everyone who purchases a light is encouraged to attend each event, but you do not have to purchase a light to attend.

Our volunteer and social work staff host the lighting ceremonies annually every first weekend in December. These ceremonies take place in Cottonwood, Marshall, Balaton, Tracy, and Minneota; all of the towns in which we provide most of our services. This year, the ceremonies will take place today and Sunday. We try to make each ceremony special to each town. Each ceremony has their own program that includes a candle vigil, holiday music, reading of memorial names, and tree lighting. All of the ceremonies are also followed by light refreshments and conversation within the small groups that gather for the ceremonies in each town. The event is a really special one to Prairie Home and it’s hundreds of patients and families that have been touched by end of life or life altering experiences. Anyone that has gone through loss, or health hardships share a common bond and feeling that is quite special and endearing. Every ceremony really is a beautiful representation of memory. Taking a few moments to honor, celebrate, and remember loved ones during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is tremendously special to these communities that we serve.

It is an honor for us to provide an event like a “Light to Remember” and we sincerely hope this tradition will continue for years to come. To purchase your light, simply go to our website and print off the form under events (www.prairiehomehospice.org) or simply stop into our offices and we would be happy to help you.