On Friday evening, Dec. 2, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department is hosting a special annual tree-lighting event called “Celebration of Life.” The department is inviting everyone in the community to come out to honor and celebrate the lives of those who were killed in traffic or traffic-related accidents in 2021.

The Celebration of Life will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Otto Zenke Building at the Sheriff’s Department’s administrative headquarters at 400 W. Washington St. in downtown Greensboro.

During the celebration, a tree will be lit up with lights – each bulb will represent someone who lost their life.

At the events each year, Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers traditionally speaks and attempts to offer solace to the friends and families of the victims. Rogers is expected to speak at this year’s event as well.

Each year, the ceremony also serves as a reminder to everyone in the community about the importance of being a safe driver.

During the tree-lighting event, the names of each of the deceased will be read out loud.

At last year’s ceremony – which celebrated the lives of those who died in traffic accidents in 2020 – 73 lives were honored. This year, that number has risen to 98 – those who died in calendar year 2021.

About