Add an ornament to Christmas/holiday tree in memory of a person who died from COVID-19

The holiday season can be difficult at times. For those who have lost a loved one to the coronavirus, these first holidays without them can be especially heartbreaking.

This year, the Kenmore Village Improvement Society has added a tree in the village gazebo, located in front of 1 Delaware Road, where Delaware Avenue and Delaware Road meet. The public is invited to hang a non-breakable ornament on the tree in memory of someone they know who has died of COVID-19. Those who have been negatively affected by the virus or suffer from long-COVID are also invited to hang an ornament.

Organizers said, “The ornament can have the name of the person on it, or can be symbolic of that person. People living anywhere in Western New York are welcome to join in this meaningful tribute.

“The Kenmore Village Improvement Society (KVIS) decorates the center of the village each season, taking care to create visual displays that are engaging and pleasing. The all-volunteer group has been working to make their neck of the woods as good as possible, in as many ways as possible, for 14 years.”

KVIS President Melissa Foster said, “My mother died a year ago from COVID-19. I know first-hand the terrible and unusual strain and grief that accompanies this kind of death. We hope that hanging an ornament in this way may be a balm to those who have experienced grief and loss from COVID.”

For more information, visit www.villageofkenmore.com or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KenmoreVillage).