Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, Pa., will memorialize Bucks County residents who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.
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By: Megan Sullivan
The holidays may bring to mind the unraveling of shiny ribbons on gift boxes or eating too many cookies and other sweet treats. But most importantly, it should bring to mind family, love and an appreciation for life.
A Tree of Hope, decorated with 2,749 bulbs, will be on display Dec. 4 through Jan. 8 at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, Pa., to represent each individual killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Seventeen stars at the top of the tree honor the 17 Bucks County residents who died that day. Through sponsoring a light for $10, the community can help raise money toward the Garden of Reflection, a memorial park and garden for family, friends and community members to heal, rebuild and celebrate life.
"We’re really hoping that everyone is able to have this as a time to reflect," says Ellen Saracini, a Garden of Reflection Committee member and widow of Victor Saracini, the captain of United Airlines Flight 175. "The holiday season is a good reflective time, a time to be with family, and we’re hoping that we get a big response to people wanting to come out and show support."
The committee has already raised more than $700,000 over the past four years, enough to start construction of the garden on Woodside Road in Yardley, but still needs $500,000 to add things like a Remembrance Walk with each victim’s name imprinted along it.
"Our whole theory is to celebrate life," says Ms. Saracini, who has two daughters, ages 14 and 18. "What better way than to light a tree of hope to celebrate the lives that were lost… and there were a lot of them. We need 2,749 people to buy a bulb and we’ll be set. That’s a lot of people, it’s a big undertaking, but I think it’s such a great idea."
All 2,749 lights will be lit during the Tree of Hope kick-off celebration, accompanied by words of prayer, song and a moment of silence. Then, only the lights that have been sponsored will remain shining. As donations are made, more and more lights will illuminate in hopes of reaching the final goal.
"We lost a lot of people here on Sept. 11, I think our community was hit real hard and they don’t forget what happened," Ms. Saracini says. "We really pulled together and I think have gotten closer as everybody wanting to support the garden."
The Tree of Hope Kick-Off Celebration and Shady Brook Farm Christmas Open House will take place at 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pa., Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Santa will arrive by helicopter at 3 p.m. The celebration includes the Tree of Hope Dedication Ceremony, pictures with Santa, wine tasting, refreshments and product demonstrations. The Tree of Hope will be on display through Jan. 8 and bulbs can be sponsored by making a $10 donation at Shady Brook Farm, Jammer Doors or McCaffrey’s. Other donation levels of $35, $75 and $250 are accompanied by a keepsake stained glass ornament.

