Staff Report

Local residents are invited to celebrate and honor the lives of their departed loved ones at Light Up A Life ceremonies in December in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito and Carpinteria, hosted by Hospice of Santa Barbara.

In the annual event’s 35^th year, the organization has added the fourth ceremony in Montecito because of the devastation of the Thomas Fire and subsequent debris flows in January.

“With everything Montecito has been through over the last 12 months, we knew the time was right to provide a special opportunity for this community to come together as one,” said Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO David Selberg. “This is an opportunity for all of us who have lost someone dear to them through the years to have a special ceremony of remembrance. Light Up a Life has made such an impact on those grieving during the holiday season, and we’re looking forward to expanding this annual tradition to give more people in our community a chance to honor their loves ones.”

Admission is free to the ceremonies, which feature special guests and speakers, music, and a memorial tree lighting.

Special tribute stars are available online and at each ceremony for a suggested donation of $15 or more for those wishing to personalize a star to hang on the tree. Hospice of Santa Barbara will record the names being honored and remembered into the Book of Life, which will be available in perpetuity online. All proceeds will benefit Hospice of Santa Barbara programs.

Dates and locations of the ceremonies are:

Saturday, Dec. 1, 5:30 pm – Casa de la Guerra, 15 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara
Sunday, Dec. 2, 5:30 pm – Camino Real Marketplace, Storke Road and Marketplace Drive, Goleta
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 5:30 pm – Montecito Upper Village Green, corner of San Ysidro and East Valley Road, Montecito
Saturday, Dec. 8, 5:30 pm – Seal Fountain at Linden Plaza, Linden Avenue, Carpinteria

To buy a star or get more information about Light Up a Life, call 805-563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.