Blessing Tree lights up Bettendorf park

BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - Community members came together to honor loved ones during the lighting of the Blessing Tree Tuesday night.

The tree’s lights, ornaments and bows are sponsored by community members in memory of, in celebration of or in gratitude for someone in their life, according to a media release.

The names of the people being honored were read aloud before the tree was lit on Tuesday.

“Each light, bow and ornament is just really symbolic of somebody in our community, whether they’re still with us or maybe they’re going through a tough time or, you know they, we’ve lost them,” said Alexis Doxsee, marketing and communications manager at Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club.

Officials said all money from the tree go toward free programing at the Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club. The tree however, is open to the entire community, even if they weren’t impacted by cancer.

“It’s just a really nice time for the community to be able to come together and whether they’ve lost somebody, they can remember them at this lighting of the tree,” Doxee said.

The tree will be up, and lit at Be the Light Park in Bettendorf until Jan. 1, Doxee said.

It’s the 27th year for the tree lighting.

To buy a bow, ornament or light, click here.