Union City Welcomes Holiday Season with Tree Lighting [Video]

Dozens gathered to ring in the holidays at the annual Trees of Angels for Hospice tree lighting at the Nakamura Clinic Wednesday night.

Presented by the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, the Union City Chamber of Commerce, RK Electric and the Bernardin Family, the event was the last Trees of Angels lighting of the season for the Tri-Cities. Similar events were held recently in Fremont and Newark.

Now in its 17th year, the annual Tree of Angels campaign has raised more than $450,000 for hospice care in the Tri-Cities, according to foundation members.

Mayor-elect and Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation president Carol Dutra-Vernaci gave the opening remarks and led the tree lighting, with assistance from children in the audience.

The event also included a performance by the James Logan Jazz Singers, a Chamber of Commerce mixer and a raffle prize giveaway.

Community members from neighboring towns also attended the event.

Kimberly Lim, of Fremont, said she has attended Trees of Angels events in the Tri-Cities for the past eight years.

“I enjoy the event and the kids have fun seeing the tree light up,” said Lim, a mother of two.

Union City resident Victor Rodriguez and his family came out to the tree lighting for the second year in a row.

“The kids had a great time last year and asked if they could light the tree again,” Rodriguez said.

His children, 3-year-old Julian James and 4-year-old Claire, were among those who helped Dutra-Vernaci light up the tree.

See highlights from the event, including a video of the lighting and Logan Jazz Singers performance, above.

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