The Christmas tree on the first floor of the county courthouse may seem a bit bare right now.

But by next week it should be glowing with the memories of loved ones gone but not forgotten by family and friends.

That is the goal of Hospice of Huntington as the organization that provides end of life care is bringing its Light a Life Tree and dedication ceremony to the county.

“We have holiday trees that we put in different locations at our service area,” Shelly Betz, marketing director at Hospice, said. “A paper candle, a symbolic candle, is hung upon the tree. You are honoring or remembering a loved one.”

Next Thursday at 2 p.m. at the courthouse lobby Hospice will have a dedication ceremony by the tree where people can place their paper candles.

“Our bereavement department will do a formal dedication ceremony and read a list of names of people who have been cared for by Hospice with permission of the family,” Betz said.

The trees are a fundraising tool for Hospice and candles can be purchased for any size donation.

“If they want to donate online or call our donation department or do it on that day,” Betz said. “We know this is a tough time for a lot of people who have lost someone.”

Those placing candles do not have to have had a family member who was a Hospice of Huntington patient.