Community invited to Angel Tree event for crime victims’ families

By LYNETTE SOWELL  

Cove Leader-Press 

The community is invited to the 10th annual Tree of Angels, on Monday, Dec. 2, hosted by the Coryell County District Attorney’s Office in conjunction with Hidden Gems Family center, to remember victims who have died due to crimes. 

Christmas trees will be set up in the community room of the Copperas Cove Police Department for families to remember the loved ones lost to crime. 

Hidden Gems Family Center and the Coryell County crime victims’ assistance coordinators host the gathering to give families a chance to grieve and remember with other families in the same situation, during the holiday season.

“We have friends and family members that are missing their loved ones especially at this time of year. They lost their loved one due to a violent crime in Coryell County. We would like to invite the community to come and show their support to the family members that miss their loved ones so dearly and to share in the memories of their loved ones. Each family that has lost a loved one due to a violent crime will have an angel to adorn the tree with. In this celebration of life for each victim lost we gather strength from one another,” the office announced in a press release.

Doors open at 6 p.m., when guests arrive and begin decorating the trees. 

Then, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a brief program and keynote speaker, Coryell County District Attorney Dusty Boyd. Light refreshments will be served. 

RSVP or call Brandy or Gretchen for questions at 254-865-5911 ext. 206.

In addition to events like the Angel Tree in December, the County observes National Crime Victims Rights Week, during the month of April. 

The Crime Victim Coordinator’s office is available to support those who are victims of harassment, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, unlawful restraint, indecent exposure, adult physical assault, domestic/family violence, violation of protective order and interfere with emergency request for assistance. After crimes like these committed, that office is connected with victims.

Victims are connected with free counseling services, for however long those services are needed, at no cost to the victim. The Crime Victims offices are funded by the state of Texas, specifically the State Attorney General’s office. 

(file photos available of trees)