Donations Open for Lights of Love

Tuesday, 18 November 2025 07:06

For a minimum donation of $25, you can have a lantern in memory of a loved one on display outside VON Sakura House.

WOODSTOCK - Lights of Love is back for another year at VON Sakura House.

You can donate to have a lantern in memory of a loved one on display outside the hospice on Friday November 28th.

Each lantern is a 5x5 plastic box with a battery operated tealight candle. It will be decorated with ribbon and it will have the name of the loved one, along with a personal message. All of the lanterns will be on display between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and they will have coffee and hot chocolate on site for those who decide to stop by.

Fund Development Coordinator Chelsea Stephens says the event is open to everyone.

"It's not just about people who have passed at Sakura House. That is definitely who gets the most of our lanterns, but anyone in the community is welcome to donate. It's a minimum $25 donation to have a lantern in memory of a loved one and then you can come to the ceremony and take your lantern home with you."

Stephens adds Sakura House is only partially government funded, so it relies on donations from the public.

"Things like groceries, heat, hydro, and maintenance on our house are not covered unfortunately. That is why we look to the generosity of our community and events like Lights of Love."

You can donate to the Lights of Love campaign online here.

Up to 344 patients stayed at Sakura House in 2024. When you crunch all of the numbers, Stephens says it costs approximately $500 per patient for each day, but they're all able to stay there free of charge thanks to public donations.

Tickets are also selling fast for the next big Sakura House fundraiser, Handbags for Hospice on Friday February 26th, 2026. You can find more information about that event online here.

Chelsea Stephens stopped by the Heart FM studio to chat with Dan and Marcie on Friday November 14th. You can listen to the full interview below: