A local non-profit is spreading hope this holiday season with a traveling Christmas tree.
VOICE is a group that supports victims of crime and their families.
The tree travels to various local police departments over the years; this year marks the fifth year of the traveling tree.
Located at the New Iberia Police Department this year, the VOICE Support Group's tree features photos brought by members of the community.
The tree's purpose is for loved ones to be remembered.
Tonight, VOICE held a victim's gathering around the tree.
Organizers say that when the movement began, the tree was decorated with red and purple bulbs, the organization's colors. This year, there was no room for the bulbs because of the amount of photos on the tree, indicating the rise in number of crime victims.
But why police departments? Organizers say that the process of crime prevention begins with law enforcement and those departments have often also felt the pain of loss.
"Just as a tree is a living organism - the memories of our loved ones live on in our hearts."
Learn more about VOICE here.
All photos courtesy Catalene Theriot.
