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By Jocelyn Torres, for the SNAP

Tillery Compassionate Care held its 3rd annual Light the Lake event on Oct. 4 at City Lake Park.
This free water luminary event gave community members the opportunity to gather and pay tribute to their loved ones in a peaceful and touching ceremony.
Attendees were given biodegradable lantern kits, which included a lantern, marker and battery-operated candle, allowing participants to write messages of hope or remembrance. As the sun set, dozens of families gathered around the lake, and, at 7:15 p.m., launched their lanterns, watching in quiet reflection as they floated down the water. The sight of the glowing lights floating on the lake provided a moving visual tribute for all those present.
Tillery Compassionate Care, a nonprofit organization, provides grief counseling and support groups to families of hospice patients who have passed away. Its mission is to inspire hope and peace, helping individuals with serious illnesses embrace life’s spirit.
The event, which began as a simple candle-lighting ceremony at a local church, has grown into the large annual gathering it is today.
“Through this event, we are able to reach more people,” said Janna Spur, a bereavement counselor at Tillery Compassionate Care. “The impact is greater, and it has become a very special event for so many families.”
Michaele Connors, another bereavement counselor, highlighted the uniqueness of the program.
“This bereavement program is unusual. It’s not common for hospices to offer as many community events or as much individual counseling as we do.”
The event has grown each year, both in participation and significance. In its first year, more than 400 lanterns floated on the lake. In the second year, that number rose to 675. For this year’s event, 1,000 lantern kits were prepared, with the hope that all would be used.
Preparation for the event begins months in advance, with dozens of volunteers assembling the lantern kits over the summer.
Tillery Compassionate Care hosts many events throughout the year, including grief support dinners, luncheons and the annual Angel Tree lighting at Stanly Commons in December.

Jocelyn Torres is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.