Rainbow Hospice Helps Create Holiday Magic at the Zoo

Temperatures Saturday morning were the coldest in 10 months, but that did not deter the creative team at Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care. Fueled by hot chocolate, the group beautifully decorated a Community Tree at the Brookfield Zoo, supporting the Zoo’s 32nd anniversary of Holiday Magic.

Employees, volunteers, friends and their families helped create the beautiful handmade ornaments. Inspirational words, such as “dignity,” “touch,” and “hope,” reflected the organization’s mission as they delicately floated around the tree, while the twinkling ornaments and tree topper captured the sun’s rays.

“It was an extremely cold morning,” said Karen Ziemek, Volunteer Services Coordinator for Rainbow Hospice, “but what a wonderful way to come together with other local community groups to support the zoo and kick off the holiday season.”

This tree decorating event was just one of the many ways Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care commemorates the holidays. Coming off the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Rainbow Hospice has partnered with #GivingTuesday, the worldwide movement to support a day of giving back to nonprofit groups.

Within the organization, several events are taking place in December, such as the Annual Good Mourning Holiday gathering, where families are invited to a dinner, remembrance ceremony and candle lighting, and the “Grief & The Holidays” presentation for bereaved individuals who are coping with memories, feelings and activities associated with the holiday season. A second Rainbow Hospice Christmas tree is also on display at the Iannelli Studio in Park Ridge, as part of The Kalo Foundation Tree Parade