Tree of Hope

The Tree of Hope had a huge turnout last evening, December 14, in Doylestown to celebrate the dedication of the 21^stAnnual Tree of Hope. A spectacular tree was donated for the occasion by King’s Indianhead Tree Farm.

 We arrived at the Courthouse to the beautiful harmony of Cordus Mundi, an a cappella group that performs throughout Bucks County. The evening was opened by Chief Bill Wiegman, President of The Council’s Board of Directors, and Bucks County Commissioner Robert G. Loughery read a Proclamation from the Commission.  

Heartfelt reflections were shared by several people as they honored family and friends in the three categories of remembrance and hung hundreds of ornaments and dedications on the tree:  

• Celebration and remembrance: celebrating freedom from addiction;
• Dedicating rays of hope to those still struggling and those working in the field;
• Commemorating lives lost to the tragic disease of addiction.

 PRO-ACT and The Council offer sincere thanks to Bryan Kennedy, Cheryl Jennings, and Lauren Barford whose words of hope and encouragement outshone their pain.

Allen and Kathy McQuarrie presented the Tom Nelson Award to Kevin Medican for being PRO-ACT’s Volunteer of the Year. The award is presented each year to the volunteer who carries out advocacy work and peer-to-peer services with diligence, good humor, and care. Kathy shared her gratitude that Kevin has always said “Yes” to any task she requests.

After more melodious music by Cordus Mundi, many home-baked cookies, and much socializing, the evening ended to “Amazing Grace” and left many of us reflecting on its last line: “I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see.”