PITTSBURG, Kan. — In the 26 years that the Mount Carmel Foundation has displayed “Remember Me Trees” at Meadowbrook Mall, the ornaments decorating those trees have honored thousands of people. Each one of them has a story.
The stories include grandsons remembering grandfathers no longer living, mothers honoring sons and daughters serving in the armed forces, and clubs memorializing members who have passed away.
And thousands more people, also each with a story, have been helped by the money raised from the initiative. Those funds have been used to purchase equipment and resources for various hospital departments, including hospice, home health, the cancer center and the cardiac step-down unit.
On Tuesday, crews will once again put “Remember Me Trees” in place at the north end of the mall for the holiday season, and residents may start making donations for the ornaments.
Kathleen Flannery, executive director of the foundation, said she believes the initiative is “pretty unique.”
“It’s a public reminder of sometimes the very private moments for people,” she said. “It allows them to publicly show that their loved ones have not been forgotten, or to remember those that live far away.”
In fact, some local families make contributions for ornaments in honor of loved ones who live out of town. When those family members come to Pittsburg during the holiday season, they see the tree and know that they are loved.
Jane Crain, a member of the Phi Tau Omega philanthropic sorority, is one of 26 women who take turns staffing the booth for the trees. Having done so for many years, Crain recalls many touching instances.
“Last year, I had a little boy come up to donate for an ornament in memory of his grandpa,” she said. “He wanted to write his grandpa’s name on the tag, and then he wanted to hang it on the tree himself. His mom had explained it to him, and it was really neat.”
Flannery said the most touching stories she has witnessed involve parents donating for ornaments in memory of children who have died.
“It truly brings a tear to your eye when you hear the background of how it came about, and how meaningful it is to their families to be able to honor them,” she said.
Crain, who also now donates for an ornament in memory of her late father, called it a “good way to give back for a great cause.”
Each year, 350 to 400 people donate for ornaments, which range from $5 for a bow to $50 for an angel. Last year, the initiative netted $4,400, which is the best tally to date.
For those who donate for an ornament before Dec. 11, their loved ones’ names will be read in a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. During the ceremony, the Pittsburg Community Youth Chorale will perform several musical selections.
After the trees are taken down on Jan. 1, families have the option of keeping their loved ones’ ornaments. And, as in years past, they’ll know that they gave a gift that will keep on giving.
