Stars are appearing on the Altrusa International of Ashburton Tree of Remembrance in the Ashburton Arcade.
For over two decades Altrusa have run this project enabling people to purchase a star and write the name of person they wish to remember at Christmas and hang in on the tree
Altrusa member Helen Hooper said people purchase to remember family and friends who have died or unable to be with them at Christmas, some people even hang a star for a beloved pet.
Altrusa member Val Prendergast said people were free to write whatever personal message they wanted.
‘‘Most people just write a name. Many people remembered a grandparent who has died,’’ Val said.
Helen said it was quite an honour to be able to offer the service to people.
‘‘We do share happy times with people, and some quite sad times,’’ Helen said.
Altrusa is appreciative of Redmonds who provide the tree for them.
The project is also a fundraiser for The Ashburton Palliative Care Charitable Trust Fund, administered by Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
– Altrusa Tree of Remembrance, stars will be on sale for $2 from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 2pm on Saturday’s and December 23 the last day of the project.
