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Light a Life raises money for St. Peter’s hospice care

Posted at 9:33 PM, Dec 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-07 00:18:32-05

HELENA – Thursday night hundreds of people in Helena honored their loved ones as they raised money for St. Peter’s Health Hospice.

The 25th annual Light a Life event happened at the Civic Center.

According to St. Peter’s officials, Light a Life has raised $1.3 million since it started, and that money helps people access hospice care even if they can’t afford to pay.

Tim Tilton shared his experience as a hospice family member at the event.

His mother, Amelia Mae Tilton, passed away in January.

“They were just so wonderful to her, for her care, and also for us as a family,” he said. “There’s just so much support and compassion and care. It was really a meaningful time.”

The “memory tree” was a new addition to Light a Life this year.

People were able to write down a cherished memory or a note to a loved one on a holiday ornament, which was used to decorate a tree.

St. Peter’s Health Foundation project manager Bennett MacIntyre says the tree will be displayed at the hospital the rest of the season.

“With it being the holidays, it is a very emotional time of the year,” said MacIntyre. “Especially when you think back about loved ones in your life. So it’s really a neat opportunity to come experience and share memories of loved ones.”

MacIntyre said so far, they have raised about $70,000. He expects they’ll raise closer to $80,000 for hospice care by the end of the year.

As part of Light a Life, a tree was lit outside the Civic Center.