The holidays can be an especially difficult time of year for those who've lost a loved one. That's why Sunset Palliative Care has set up a memory tree at Stride Place.

Volunteer Coordinator Aldene Moroz says the tree is a way to express the grief you may be feeling.

"Especially at Christmas time, it's such a sad time for many people. For some of the people here in Portage, it might be the first year that a member of their family is not with them. So to be able to write down their feelings and express it on a card, and put it on that tree just gives that great feeling of hope to them and for others," says Moroz.

Moroz says the cards are free to add to the tree, but says donations are always welcome.

"If you'd like to make a donation, that's great because that's what keeps our programs running for the last 24 years. Any donations they can make them in memory of someone, they can also get a tax receipt for anything over twenty dollars as well," Moroz explains.

The memory tree will be up at Stride Place until January 7th, with other smaller trees set up with volunteers in businesses around town such as the Portage Co-op and Portage Supermarket.

Over the past 23 years, the Memory Tree has helped thousands of families express their love for someone who made a lasting impact on their lives.