Lendonwood to Host Angel of Hope Observance on Wednesday, Dec. 6

Angel of Hope
More than 40 people gathered at the Angel of Hope statue in Lendonwood Gardens for the annual candlelight remembrance ceremony last year. The public is invited to this year's ceremony at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The annual Angel of Hope candlelight ceremony will be held at Lendonwood Gardens on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. Open to the public, the ceremony is to remember lost loved ones, especially children, and will take place at the base of the statue, located on the western side of the botanical garden.

“We at Lendonwood are pleased to host this beautiful event,” said Roger Endo, president of the garden’s board of directors. “The statue and surrounding garden offer a peaceful place for people to remember and honor those they have lost.  We invite anyone who wishes to participate to join us on this special occasion.”

The Angel of Hope statue was placed in Lendonwood as part of a national movement inspired by the 1993 best-selling novel, “The Christmas Box,” by Richard Paul Evans. As of this year, more than 130 Angel of Hope statues have been erected in the United States, Japan and Canada, each with an annual commemoration ceremony on December 6.

At Lendonwood, the ceremony will include music, reading of the statue’s history and an offering of prayers. White flowers, donated by Annie’s Garden Gate, of Grove, will be provided for participants to place at the base of the statue.

Light refreshments will be provided by Lendonwood and Grandwood Assisted Living, of Grove.

Memorial bricks inscribed with personalized messages are installed around the base of the Angel of Hope statue. The inscribed bricks, which are available for $100 each, may be ordered by contacting Lendonwood at (918) 786-2938.

Lendonwood, one of 14 botanical gardens in Oklahoma, is a nonprofit organization funded and supported by donations and volunteers. The garden is open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk.