BEAUMONT, Texas — It was an emotional night for everyone who attended the 21st annual Tree of Angels tree lighting ceremony on Monday.
Families gathered at the Jefferson County Courthouse to reflect and remember loved ones lost to crime. There they were able to pay tribute by hanging custom ornaments.
"There's a lot of camaraderie with this group. There's a lot of love that we share, and we understand each other, the loss," said Castillo.
For those who attended the lighting of the Tree of Angels, the holiday season is a time for remembering and honoring the loved ones who were taken from them by crime.
Bobby Rideaux never misses a chance to pay tribute to her late son Tyrone Lemon who was murdered in 2007.
"We've been coming here every year ever since... we've got to keep his memory alive," said Rideaux.
Even though they might be gone, their loved ones are never forgotten. One by one families added ornaments to the Tree of Angels.
Chris Castillo placed one in memory of his mother Pilar Castillo. She was murdered in their home in 1991.
"They came in the middle of the night and strangled her to death... they never found her killers. They fled the country," said Castillo.
As a 20-year member of the Jefferson County Crime Victims Coalition, Castillo's mission every holiday season is to let other family of crime victims know they are all in this together.
"This is a way that we can trim a tree and be with other people who know what we've been through," Castillo said.
This is perfectly represented by their motto 'One need not bear their burdens alone.'
"It's a safe place that they can meet other crime victims and feel like they're not the only one who's alone," said Castillo.
Every ornament hung on the tree tells a story and keeps the memories of those lost alive.
"It gives them an opportunity to put an ornament on the tree to remember their loved ones," said Castillo.
While raising awareness is always important Castillo believes the Tree of Angels lighting signifies hope and healing for all families this holiday season whose loved ones have been taken by crime.
"Just getting people together of like minds, and like crimes, where they've suffered in a similar way, it really shows them that they can make it through this difficult journey," Castillo said.
If you or somebody you know has family who were victims of violent crime, you're encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Victims' Assistance Center for more information on how to get the help you need.
You can call their hotline at 409-833-3377 or their office at 409-839-2318.