Christmas is a time for connecting with family and friends, although sometimes that’s not possible.
Altrusa International of Ashburton members, including (from left) Alison Quinn, Lynette Crone, Sue Gough and Viv Strong, are helping Mid Cantabrians remember family and friends who have died, or are away.
The Altrusa Tree of Remembrance, at the Burnett St end of the Ashburton Arcade, is a project the branch has undertaken for the last 23 years.
The project enables people to buy a star for $2 between the hours of 10am to 4pm, write the name of the person they wish to remember and hang it on the tree.
Co-ordinator Sue Gough 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,’’ Sue said.
The project is also a fundraiser for The Ashburton Palliative Care Charitable Trust Fund, administered by Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.
Redmonds provide the tree.
Altrusa Tree of Remembrance will remain in the Ashburton Arcade until December 22.
