Home Hospice North Lanark launches annual Living Tree Fundraiser, linking holiday giving to community care

Home Hospice North Lanark has opened its annual Living Tree Fundraiser for the 2025–26 season, inviting residents to give a meaningful holiday gift that will grow for years to come, while supporting families facing end-of-life challenges in the community.

The fundraiser, now live through the organization’s online portal, allows the public to purchase living trees that can be picked up come spring 2026 at Reid Gardens and planted in the community. Organizers detailed that the living-tree theme reflects the heart of the hospice’s mission and proceeds directly support Home Hospice’s free palliative and bereavement services, which are offered throughout the region by trained volunteers.

“I have always been a tree hugger,” said Peggy McPhail, 2025 Tree Hugger Award recipient and team lead of the fundraiser’s organizing committee. “I believe that trees have a connection to each other — and if a tree is struggling, the other trees send support through their root systems.”

“Home Hospice is similar in that our volunteers give support to families who are struggling with end-of-life situations. Like tree branches, Home Hospice reaches out to those in need,” she continued.

McPhail says the annual fundraiser has become a meaningful tradition across North Lanark. Organizers are encouraging community members to place their orders early, reiterating that each tree purchased helps the organization continue providing compassionate, community-based support — free of charge — to individuals and families navigating some of life’s most difficult moments.