Hospice to bring Tree of Lights to Tracy for first time in 17 years

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 25, 2005 | by Mike Martinez, STAFF WRITER

TRACY -- The Tree of Lights isn't a new concept for the Hospice of San Joaquin. It's just new to Tracy.

For the first time in its 17-year tradition, a Tree of Lights is going to shine in this city.

Barbara Pombo, director of development with the hospice, said the event was a festive thing but also a memorial.

All the money collected goes to continue the services of the hospice, Pombo said. Families can purchase different colored lights on a tree in memory of a loved one.

Pombo said the hospice has long wanted to move into Tracy and substantial growth in the last two years has allowed it to happen this year.

"I'm a Tracy native and its part of my desire to get hospice recognized for the work done there for many, many years," Pombo said. "More precisely, we wanted the people in the south county to know we are here and are a service to them."

The hospice, a nonprofit community agency, has served the terminally ill and provides support to grieving families in San Joaquin County since 1982, Pombo said.

On any given day, upwards of 102 patients are visited in their homes and another six patients live full-time at the Hospice House, which is available to patients who do not have sufficient support to remain at home.

"We rely on community contributions to be able to reach out to all people, regardless of their ability to pay," Pombo said. "We do not bill patients and we serve people of all ages who have a terminal diagnosis."

The expansion to Tracy was in part made possible by a $20,000 grant from Pacific Gas & Electric, and another $17,000 donated byemployees.

Emily Barnett, a spokeswoman for PG&E, said the hospice is highly supported by the company's employees in the area.

"It's affected everyone," Barnett said. "It started 14 years ago when an employee lost his spouse very young. That's when we started decorating trees. We really cherish them and think they are a great organization."

Mike Martinez can be reached at (209) 832-3947 or at mmartinez@trivalleyherald.com.