Families, friends and loved ones have gathered at the corner of Pacific and West Yokuts avenues in Stockton to watch the 35th Tree of Lights ceremony, hosted by Hospice of San Joaquin.
Tree of Lights allows residents to donate to the health care nonprofit Hospice of San Joaquin in honor of people who made an impact on their lives, or for loved ones who are sick, or someone who has passed away.
Sitting in the third row drinking hot chocolate and prepared to see the tree lighting for the first time Tuesday evening were Misty Holt-Singh’s parents.
Holt-Singh was a 41-year-old mother of two who was killed on July 16, 2014, during a shootout between officers and three bank robbers at the Bank of the West in Stockton.
She was taken hostage along with other bank employees and was ultimately used as a human shield by the robbers, police said.
Karen and Tom Farmer, Holt-Singh’s parents, said that for years they have tried to come to the tree lighting, but never made it. However, they had continued donating to hospice since the death of their daughter.
The Farmers said that their other daughter, Dawn, also passed away from cancer one year after Holt-Singh.
Memories in colors
This year, the 70-foot-tall tree held two special lights, one blue and one red, symbolizing the sisters.
“Dawn’s favorite color was blue, so hers is blue and Misty’s favorite color was red, so hers is red,” said Karen.
Donna Kane, Hospice of San Joaquin board president, said in her welcome speech that the lights displayed on the tree are to remind people of the bond they share with their loved ones even if they are not physically present.
Shelly Troop, right, tears up during Hospice of San Joaquin’s Tree of Lights Ceremony at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Taylor Harris (in pink), 8, looks at the list of names the lights on the tree honor, along with her family during Hospice of San Joaquin’s Tree of Lights Ceremony at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local) 
Corfino Gerard (right), 2, looks up at the Christmas tree during Hospice of San Joaquin’s Tree of Lights Ceremony at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, Calif., on Nov. 21, 2023. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)
“A part of those we love will always be with us,” Kane said.
People throughout San Joaquin County are able to make donations each year and in return receive a colored light or tree topper that is placed on a Christmas tree located in one of eight cities. Additionally, memory boards display the names of loved ones.
New white memory boards made this year by Dave Ayer’s family, who are three generations of volunteers from PG&E, showcased thousands of tribute names along with the donors’ names and the light color.
A part of those we love will always be with us.
Donna Kane, Hospice of San Joaquin Board President
Donations begin at $5 for a red light and range to $1,000-$1,040 for tree toppers.
A very large light switch that would light the tree up was placed on the center stage waiting for Jamie Craig’s family — who received hospice for their loved one — to turn the switch on.
Craig said her adopted aunt and uncle passed away three years apart, both from cancer, in the same room at the hospice house.
“We are so grateful for all of Hospice of San Joaquin to help this be possible,” Craig said. “We are truly blessed to have shared this journey in life and death.”
As the black switch was pushed up, red, green, blue, white, yellow, purple and orange LED lights shined brightly.
Placed on the highest branch of the tree was a star with the name of Robert Brown written on top. Brown was the medical director of Hospice of San Joaquin for more than 40 years and died this summer.
Other cities where tree lightings will take place include Ripon on Nov. 27, Escalon on Nov. 28, Manteca and Lodi on Nov. 30, Rio Vista and Lockeford on Dec. 2, and finishing up in Tracy on Dec. 5.
Any donations go to continuing to help the nonprofit provide charity care and equipment, such as the recent need for a pediatric crib for one of their youngest patients. But they also do something novel — they provide bereavement services.
Anyone wanting to make a donation until the end of the year can visit Hospice of San Joaquin’s website.
Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.
