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Christmas Tree Programs To Benefit Local Charities

Photo by Patrick Lewis, Hernando-Pasco Hospice

Hernando-Pasco Hospice volunteer Darryl Smith of New Port Richey helped set up a Tree of Life outside the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, one of several holiday benefits for local charities.

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SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: December 3, 2008

PORT RICHEY - Christmas trees have sprouted up all over West Pasco as part of benefits for local charities over the next few weeks.

Hernando-Pasco Hospice has set up Trees of Life at various locations to raise donations while giving residents a chance to memorialize loved ones.

Gulfside Regional Hospice offers its Trees of Remembrance as well at nine West Pasco locations for tributes.

Salvation Army's Angel Tree at the Gulf View Square mall offers benefactors a chance to shop for needy children.

Tree of Life

The annual Hernando-Pasco Hospice Tree of Life community fundraiser uses all gifts to support programs and services for anyone who needs the hospice's help, spokeswoman Jane Freeman explains.

For donations from $5 to $1,000 or more, ornaments are placed on any one of the Trees of Life in memory or honor of someone special. Donors can choose ornaments with red velvet bows, angels, candles or a radiant shining star.

At Gulf View Square, 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey, two 20-foot trees will be on display in the Center Court where hospice volunteers can assist donors with ornaments during regular holiday mall hours.

Additional HPH trees are on display at:

• Marliere Hospice Care Center, 6801 Rowan Road, New Port Richey.

• Hudson Hospice House, 12139 Majestic Blvd., Hudson.

• Outside of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 5443 Main St., New Port Richey.

The trees will be on display through the end of December.

For ordering information, call 1-800-486-8784 or go online and download an order form at http://www.hphospice.org>. Orders should be placed by Monday, Dec. 17, HPH officials recommend.

Gulfside Regional Hospice has put up Trees of Remembrance on display through Dec. 24 so contributors can buy tributes while benefiting hospice patients regardless of their ability to pay.

Prices range from $5 to $25 an ornament. A special commemorative ornament for $100 is available this year.

Trees are on display in West Pasco at:

• New Port Richey Hospice House, 6230 Lafayette St., New Port Richey.

• Sunset Bay Hospice House, 7431 Kauai Loop, New Port Richey.

• Thrift Shoppe at 3601 Universal Plaza in the Holiday vicinity.

• Hudson Thrift Shoppe, 12154 U.S. 19.

• Patriot Bank, 11355 Decubellis Road, New Port Richey.

• Wachovia Bank branches at: 6013 S.R. 54, New Port Richey; 5136 Little Road, New Port Richey; 8740 Mitchell Blvd., Trinity; and 8994 S.R. 52, Hudson.

For information or to order an ornament, call 727-845-5707.

The hospice serves more than 400 patients daily. For information go online at www.GRHospice.org>.

Angel Tree

More than 500 needy children are listed on ornaments on the Salvation Army's Angel Tree at Gulf View Square.

Through Dec. 14, a donor plucks an angel ornament from the tree that lists the first name, age, sex and size of clothing for a less fortunate child, Jeanne Coulter, manager of the Center of Hope, explains.

Shoppers then buy presents for the needy child and return the unwrapped gifts to Salvation Army volunteers.

The presents will be distributed from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, from the Center of Hope. Coulter is seeking volunteers to work at the Angel Tree table at the mall.

Salvation Army officials also expect to distribute more holiday food boxes this year to help less fortunate families during the economic downturn. A donation of $30 typically will fill a box to feed a family of four.

For information call Coulter at 727-847-6321, ext. 223.

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