In an effort to follow current social distancing guidelines, The Erath County victim services staff will virtually host the 19th Annual Tree of Angels on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. The video link will be posted to the Erath County website at www.co.erath.tx.us.
The Tree of Angels is a time for victims, families and friends of victims to come together and remember those that have been victimized or lost due to violent crime.
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2, victims, families and friends are invited to bring new angel to place on the tree at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center located at 298 S. Graham, Stephenville, Texas during business hours Monday through Friday.
In 1991, the Tree of Angels was initiated in Austin, Texas by People Against Violent Crime.
The Tree of Angels recognizes that the holiday season is a difficult time for victims and their families.
This special event honors surviving victims of violent crime and victims’ families by making it possible for loved ones to bring an Angel Ornament to place on a special Christmas tree.
It is a reverent/ forum for the Community to join together to remember, include and support victims of crime who are a part of our lives and communities,
Above all, the Tree of Angels is an expression of the realization of love. Since its inception, the Tree of Angels has become a memorable tradition observed throughout Texas communities within 32 counties and in Australia.
On March 21 , 2000, the United States Patent and Trademark Office registered the Tree of Angels.
On Nov. 9, 2000, Former Governor George W, Bush issued a statewide Proclamation designating the week of Dec. 4-10, 2000 as Tree of Angels Week in Texas.
This Proclamation acknowledges that in 1991, Verna Lee Carr of PAVC established the Tree of Angels and gave tribute to Nell Myers for her life-long dedicated work and many achievements for victims of crime. Governor Rick Perry since has issued a statewide Proclamation designating the first week in December as Tree of Angels Week in Texas.
In 2002 Erath County victim services staff began a Tree of Angels program to remember victims and their families and to honor surviving victims of violent crime in our community.