Hospice of Santa Barbara brought people together Wednesday evening for its 40^th annual Light Up a Life ceremony in Montecito to honor loved ones who have passed away.

Each year, Hospice of Santa Barbara holds this event in locations throughout the South Coast, where people can purchase paper stars to hang on the community Christmas tree and dedicate them to family or friends who have died. It also offers an opportunity for people to come together during a time when grief can be particularly difficult.

“One of the reasons we come here every season is because we want to be able to look around and know that we are not alone in our grief, in our love and care and remembrance of those we’ve lost,” the Rev. Julia Hamilton said. “The holidays can be a tough time, and being together with people who understand and are in the same place with us is a great comfort.”

Hospice of Santa Barbara also has a Virtual Tree of Remembrancene where people can dedicate a digital star and upload photos and messages for their loved ones.

The Light Up a Life event began with performances from the Cold Spring School choir and cookies, cider and coffee served by Montecito Fire Protection District firefighters, who also provided help hanging stars on the tree. 

The program included music, the lighting of the tree and words from several people, including Hospice of Santa Barbara board chair Dana VanderMey, Hospice of Santa Barbara CEO David Selburg, Montecito Fire Chief David Neels, Santa Barbara poet laureate Melinda Palacio, who recited her poem “What the Birds Know,” and more.

VanderMey said she was at the first Light Up a Life ceremony 40 years ago with her father, who passed away three months later.

“I love coming to Light Up a Life because this is a safe and sacred place in time, and it’s OK to shed tears,” VanderMey said.

While speaking, Montecito Fire Chief Neels said the department is dedicating 23 stars this year to the community members lost during the 2018 debris flow in Montecito, and spoke of how those losses have affected the community.

“A community is defined how our neighbors come together, both in positive moments and deeply challenging times,” Neels said. “As we gather in person over this holiday season, it’s impossible not to feel the void of loved ones who are no longer with us and here to enjoy these special moments, and tonight we have the opportunity to light up and honor their legacies.”

Selburg also said that the Light Up a Life ceremony and commemoration really grew from the Thomas Fire and the following debris flow.

“This is a valued tradition, and it’s important that we take a moment as we begin the holiday season to remember those that we have lost and that we miss and hold them close in our hearts as we do that,” Selburg said.

The Montecito event was the second of four Light Up a Life ceremonies that Hospice of Santa Barbara is holding this year. The Santa Barbara ceremony was held last Sunday. Two ceremonies will be held this weekend — the Carpinteria ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday at the seal fountain on Linden Avenue, and Goleta’s event at 5 p.m. Sunday at Camino Real Marketplace at Storke Road and Marketplace Drive.

More information about Hospice of Santa Barbara and the services it provides can be found on its website here.