Memory Tree program renamed to continue operations 

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Previously the Tree of Hope, the beloved program which has been operating in Strathmore for 29 years has been renamed as the Memory Tree.

Established in 1996, the Tree of Hope program gathered donations to support palliative care at the Strathmore Hospital. It has funded contributions such as furniture, bedding, entertainment, roll-away cots, and an assortment of other quality of life improvements.

“Just because there are no palliative care rooms to furnish anymore and it’s been going for 29 years, they were going to discontinue the program and we thought it was too valuable of a program to discontinue,” said Florence Vander Velde, vice president of the Strathmore District Health Foundation and Auxiliary. “The new board renamed it and called it the Memory Tree with basically the same goals behind it where people can donate money in memory of their loved ones to the foundation to support the purchase of equipment for the hospital.”

She added this is the first year that operation of the program has been taken over by the foundation.

This year, the foundation is largely working to raise awareness about the Memory Tree being the continuation of what the Tree of Hope used to be. 

“We got started kind of late on it so other than getting it in the newspaper, we haven’t been out and around too much in order to have our pamphlets anywhere,” said Vander Velde. “I’m not sure how successful we will be this year just because we were so late getting it organized but hopefully people will see it and continue to donate.”

The acquisition of the program took place at the beginning of December, and similar to prior years, the donation period effectively operates over the course of the Christmas holiday season.

Vander Velde added members of the community are able to make donations year-round; however, particularly during the holidays when family and friends are top of mind, the campaign invites and encourages donations.

“We have a tree placed at the front of the hospital by the admitting desk and there are little cards with the donor’s name and who they are remembering, and that is placed on the tree,” she said. 

The Memory Tree will run until Jan. 17, then the donation period will close for the year until the next holiday season. Donations may be sent in online via strathmoredistrictfoundation@gmail.com or made in person at the hospital. Donations of $20 or more are eligible for income tax receipts.