You can share the spirit of the holiday season and support Hope Hospice with a donation to the annual Lights of the Valley that purchases a symbolic light or star in honor or in memory of someone special. Teri Concannon, Hope Hospice development and communications manager, says that last year Lights of the Valley raised more than $57,500. She notes that the hospice client base has risen to 225 patients, up from 153 patients in 1997.

The Lights of the Valley will shine throughout December and the public is invited to attend the commemorative tree-lighting events beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, at Dublin San Ramon Services District Water Conservation Garden, 7051 Dublin Blvd., Dublin; Wednesday, November 28, at ValleyCare Medical Center, 5555 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton; and Thursday, November 29 , at Valley Memorial Hospital, 1111 E. Stanley Blvd., Livermore. Light refreshments will follow a short program of reflection, which includes guest speakers and local music ensembles.

Hope Hospice invites you to join these Hacienda businesses this season that have provided assistance in the past: CarrAmerica, Unisource, Classic Fare Catering, Tri-Valley Herald, AT&T, Chicago Title Company, ProBusiness Services, Prudential California Realty, and Robert Half International.

Hope Hospice is beginning its third decade of providing quality, compassionate end-of-life care to Tri-Valley families regardless of the patient's or family's ability to pay. Since 1980, Hope Hospice has been caring for those who are terminally ill and for their family members.

Comfort care, often called palliative care, is provided in the patient's home with a full range of services so patients can live their final days in comfort and dignity surrounded by loved ones. The patient and the family receive support and education from the hospice team that includes a doctor, nurse, home health aide, social worker, chaplain, and homecare volunteer.

The hospice staff concern, compassion, and services extend to the families of the patient and beyond with many grief support programs for anyone in the community. There are programs are designed for those who are a surviving spouse, as well as those who have lost a parent, a child or someone in a tragic situation such as suicide, an accident, or homicide.

In addition, there are family care providers support programs. Hope Hospice has a lending and resource library, and community education and training to learn more about end-of-life issues.

Hope Hospice welcomes volunteers. Volunteers are needed for fundraisers - the Lights of the Valley holiday event, the popular annual Cioppino Dinner, Bowl-For-Hope, and the High Hopes Golf Tournament. Speakers are needed to educate the community about Hope Hospice services and others needed for light office work. Monetary donations are always welcome and can be made year-round. Volunteer opportunities are also available at the Hope Hospice Shoppe, a quality resale store in downtown Pleasanton.

Hope Hospice, Inc., is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare (JCAHO), licensed by the State of California Department of Health Services and certified by Medicare and Medi-Cal.

For more information about Hope Hospice services or programs, call (925) 829-8770. Their offices are at 6900 Dublin Blvd. The website is www.hopehospice.com .

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