The Town of Hodges will herald the season by placing a Memory Tree in the Hodges Town Park during the holidays.

For $5, community members can place the name of a loved one on the tree in their memory. At 6 p.m. Nov. 30, a tree lighting event will take place.

“Our community looks forward to the decorations in the park and the dedication of the memory tree for our loved ones,” said Mayor Brian Scott.

Kathy Wiginton started the tradition in memory of her son, Joseph, in 2018. The next year, the tree was open to the community. The event didn’t take place in 2020 because of COVID-19 precautions.

“We’ve had good turnouts for the event,” said Wiginton. “We have Christmas caroling, and I serve cookies and hot chocolate for the community. This is a good way for us to remember those we’ve lost.”

All proceeds will be used for upkeep of the park.

The deadline for submission of names is Nov. 26, and they can be turned in at Hodges Town Hall, Harold’s Gas and Kathy’s Kuts. For more information, call 205-495-9040.