'LOVE LIGHTS' BENEFIT HOSPICE.Byline: BETTIE RENCORET Senior columnist LANCASTER - At this time of year, when people often feel the loss of loved ones loved ones npl → seres mpl queridos loved ones npl → proches mpl et amis chers loved ones love npl more keenly than in any other season, Hoffmann Hospice hospice, program of humane and supportive care for the terminally ill and their families; the term also applies to a professional facility that provides care to dying patients who can no longer be cared for at home. has come up with a way to cope. Hoffmann Hospice founders Tom and Beth Hoffmann initiated the inaugural ``Light Up a Life'' ceremony at the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Senior Center. The hospice has had great success with ceremonies to memorialize me·mo·ri·al·ize tr.v. me·mo·ri·al·ized, me·mo·ri·al·iz·ing, me·mo·ri·al·iz·es 1. To provide a memorial for; commemorate. 2. To present a memorial to; petition. loved ones, deceased or living, in the Bakersfield area for seven years. For the eighth year, they decided to expand the tribute to the Antelope Valley. The Light Up a Life ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate the lives of loved ones by the placing of lights on a holiday tree. The $10 donation for each light goes to help support the volunteer work of the hospice organization, which is nonprofit A corporation or an association that conducts business for the benefit of the general public without shareholders and without a profit motive. Nonprofits are also called not-for-profit corporations. Nonprofit corporations are created according to state law. and depends on private donations. ``I believe in my soul that the hospice volunteer serves as God's model and hand. The hospice volunteer brings peace and harmony to the dying person's last moments and to their loved ones,'' said keynote speaker Allen Baumann, a Vietnam veteran This article is about veterans of the Vietnam War. For the French psychedelic musical group, see Vietnam Veterans. Vietnam veteran is a phrase used to describe someone who served in the armed forces of participating countries during the Vietnam War. who is the U.S. Army Volunteer Reserve commanding general. ``Where there is pain the hospice volunteer seeks to bring comfort,'' he said. ``Where there is anger, the hospice volunteer seeks to bring peace.'' Baumann's organization consists of veterans amd for more than five years has provided honor guards at the funerals of thousands of veterans. They also provide memorial services for veterans who died in poverty. As a rifle company commander in Vietnam, he ``witnessed many soldiers' souls leave the battlefield,'' Baumann said. It is a tragedy to die at any age but especially when one is young, Baumann said. It is for those nearing death that the hospice program provides comfort and concern. At a recent Light Up a Life ceremony a hush came over the room as Tom Hoffmann read aloud the names of the honorees. Electronic candles in the hands of those participating created a glowing circle in the darkened dark·en v. dark·ened, dark·en·ing, dark·ens v.tr. 1. a. To make dark or darker. b. To give a darker hue to. 2. To fill with sadness; make gloomy. 3. room as the lights on the tree were illuminated il·lu·mi·nate v. il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates v.tr. 1. To provide or brighten with light. 2. To decorate or hang with lights. 3. , ending the ceremony. Hoffmann Hospice's Lancaster office is at 1832 W. Ave. K, Suite D1. The telephone number is (661) 948-8801. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: U.S. Army Volunteer Reserve Gen. Allen Baumann and Zanya Hoffman of Hoffman Hospice at the A.V. Senior Center. Bettie Rencoret/Special to the Daily News |
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