Hospice plans Memory Walk on Sept. 21 in Holley at waterfalls

(Left) Provided photo: The Rev. Randy LeBaron kneels with a sign along the path showing his parents during a previous Memory Walk in Holley. (Right) Brittany Dix, community outreach specialist at Hospice of Orleans and the Rev. Randy LeBaron, spiritual care/bereavement counselor, look over a flyer promoting Hospice of Orleans annual Memory Walk Sept. 21.

HOLLEY – Hospice of Orleans is giving the community a beautiful way to remember and honor loved ones, while enjoying refreshments and a leisurely walk to Holley Falls.

It was in 2019 when Community Outreach Specialist Brittany Dix came up with the idea for a Memory Walk as a good way to involve the community and promote their mission focus that they are there to support folks beyond the death of a loved one.

Spiritual Care and Bereavement Counselor the Rev. Randy LeBaron joined Hospice in 2022 and has been involved with the walks every year since.

“We try to have events which involve the entire county,” Dix said. “Holley Falls is such a great venue.”

This year’s Memory Walk is scheduled Sept. 21 with opening remarks at 1:30 p.m. at the Pond Pavilion, followed by the Memory Walk down to Holley Falls, where refreshments will be served at the Falls Pavilion. Attendees are asked to park at the Holley Pharmacy.

Registration will be outside the Historical Society in the train depot.

There is no cost to walk, however, Hospice requests each person RSVP by Sept. 15 for the event by visiting www.hospiceoforleans.org.

Hospice will also have registration forms available at the office or anyone can call Hospice at (585) 589-0809. Opportunities will be available to purchase memory signs, which will line the walk, and/or T-shirts.

“This is a ‘friendraising,’ event, rather than a fundraiser,” Dix said. “Randy has great support groups that many community members utilize, and this is just another way to demonstrate to the community, ‘We’re here for you.’ The event is open to anyone, whether they have been served by Hospice or not.”

“That also goes for our bereavement groups, as well,” the Rev. LeBaron said.

After registration, the Rev. LeBaron said the group will gather at the pavilion for a short prayer, where he will ask for those who would like their loved ones named. Several people will have golf carts to shuttle those who have difficulty walking.

After the Rev. LeBaron speaks, the walk will go to the first pavilion, where rock painting will be available. The walk will be lined with signs which have a picture and name of a lost loved one.

“There are whole families for which this has become an annual tribute to their loved ones,” the Rev. LeBaron said.

While there is no entrance fee, there are several levels of participation available for those who wish to support Hospice. A Memory Walk T-shirt can be purchased for $20; a sign with a picture of a loved one and a message costs $25; and $45 will buy a Memory Walk T-shirt and a sign with a picture of the loved one and a message, placed along the Memory Walk path.

Last year’s walk was attended by 75 community members, not counting volunteers, Dix said.

“This is a great time of year – a nice time to get out in nature,” Dix said.

“Everyone is there for the same reason,” the Rev. LeBaron added.

When Dix said the walk has never been rained out, LeBaron said, “We pray a lot.”

He also reminds the public grief support groups for Orleans County meet at 4 p.m. at the Albion First Baptist Church, 30 West Park St. in Albion. Parking is available at a lot off Beaver Street. Sessions are scheduled Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9.