The final ceremony will take place in the Cape Cod Mall at noon on Monday, Dec. 20. Meredith Marshall and Susan Eenigenburg lead the hour-long ceremonies. The chaplain offers reflections on the symbolism of the tree and of the shells, and the names of each of the loved ones honored with a shell are read in alphabetical order by Hospice volunteers. A thousand shells have been sold to date, and Lawrance expected the normal 2,500 ornament total to be reached easily. A group of Hospice volunteers hand-letters each shell with paint markers, and another group hangs them on the trees as the orders come in.
Contributors can select the location for their ornaments.
Lawrance said that the more populated areas such as South Yarmouth and Dennis have the most ornaments per tree, but that Sandwich, which is very supportive of Hospice and its programs, is also a popular location. Shells are available through December, and Lawrance said that orders received by Dec. 20 are guaranteed to be placed on a tree for Christmas. The ornaments can be taken home in January. To order a Tree of Memories scallop shell inscribed with the name of a person you have chosen to honor or memorialize, call the Hospice Foundation of Cape Cod at 362-1103.