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Angel Tree an opportunity to honour loved ones, support hospice

Tree will be up at Mariposa Market until Christmas Eve; 'To me, it doesn’t show money raised; it shows the heart of the community,' says supporter

As a mother and daughter placed a dove ornament on a tree at Mariposa Market on Friday, it reminded them of Jeff Peacock’s love of birds.

“Jeff would love this,” Susan Peacock said of her late husband.

Jeff spent a lot of time watching the birds in his yard during the five years he was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

“We had multiple bird feeders. He always loved nature. He was an outdoorsman,” Susan said.

It was an honour for her and daughter Kelsey to place the first ornament on the Angel Tree. As the name implies, the tree typically is adorned with angel ornaments, but an exception was made to more fittingly remember Jeff.

This is the third year the Angel Tree has been set up at Mariposa Market. For a minimum donation of $10, people can place an angel ornament on the tree and, if they choose, include a message about the loved ones they’re remembering.

All of the money raised will go toward Mariposa House Hospice, which is set to open in the late spring or early summer of 2020.

Jeff, who died in August 2018 at age 56, didn’t have the opportunity to go to a hospice; there wasn’t one in town. He spent his final days at home, where friends and family were fixtures, helping Jeff, his wife and kids — Kelsey Peacock, Ben Peacock and Megen Stringer — any way they could.

“The experience we were able to have with our community and family is something I hope others could have,” Susan said. “It was a beautiful time for us as much as it was a difficult time.”

While Jeff wasn’t in a hospice, Susan said she sees the value of it, and she’s been volunteering with Mariposa House Hospice.

“I certainly know the importance of having a place that can provide the support, comfort and peace,” she said.

For Kelsey, the Angel Tree is “really special.”

“He would have loved something like this,” she said of her dad.

Angel Trees can be found in communities across Canada. Local business owners Kristopher Orchard and Jamie Campbell brought this one to Orillia and they cover the cost of the tree.

“To me, it doesn’t show money raised; it shows the heart of the community,” Orchard said, noting the Orillia tree has raised more money than any other in the country.

“This is the most giving community there is, and Jamie and I are proud to do this as a contribution to the community.”

The tree is in a more prominent spot this year, displayed in the front window of Mariposa Market. Orchard hopes that visibility leads to not only more donations, but also more awareness.

“It’s education,” he said. “People see it and they then pay attention to it and look into it to donate.”

The tree will be up until Christmas Eve.


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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