PECKS MILL - Forest Lawn Cemetery will have its annual Lighting of the Candles on Friday, December 12. Along with the Lighting of the Candles, toys for the WE CAN (Working To Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect) program's Christmas party will be collected.

"We have been doing the toy drive for 15 years," said Lajeana Aldredge at Forest Lawn Cemetery. "We do it for the children and the WE CAN program and in memory of all the children that have been lost. For those who have lost children, Christmas is a special time."

This is the first year Ellen Browning has worked with Aldredge in the toy drive. Browning is the local director for the WE CAN program. Browning said things are progressing well for the programs Christmas celebration.

"It's going really good," Browning said.

"I've had a lot of help in getting ready for the Christmas party. We're probably going to service close to 127 families this year."

Forest Lawn Cemetery also has a Memory Tree for anyone who wishes to place an ornament on the tree in memory of their deceased loved ones.

"This tree is in memory of all those who have gone on before us, adults as well as children," Aldredge said. "It's a way for people to remember those who aren't with them this Christmas."

Aldredge invites anyone who has lost a loved one to place an ornament on the tree, and the loved one doesn't have to be buried at Forest Lawn. They can be buried across the county, country or world.

Volunteers are needed and will be welcomed to help with the lighting of the candles which will begin at 3 p.m. Aldredge asks volunteers to bring one of the long lighters with them.

Ceremonies for the lighting of the candles will begin at 7 p.m.