Mama’s Kitchen’s 13th annual Tree of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in the Village Hillcrest Retail Center on Wednesday, Dec. 1, in local observance of World AIDS Day. The hour-long ceremony is held every year to remember those who have died of the deadly pandemic, and reaffirms community efforts to educate, prevent and find a cure. This year’s guest speakers include Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins, Councilmember Donna Frye and State Senator Christine Kehoe.

“Collectively, my recollection of the event has always been one that is more solemn; that is more honoring of people that have passed and more acknowledging of the history of AIDS,” said Alberto Cortes, executive director of Mama’s Kitchen, a nonprofit meal delivery service dedicated for San Diegans affected by AIDS. “It’s a tradition in our community, and it provides that opportunity to look at AIDS from where we are and where we’ve been. We certainly look to maintain that tone, because it’s one of the things that defines the event.”

A Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS declared 2003 had the highest rate of infection and death from AIDS – 5 million new infections were reported and 3 million people died. Worldwide, five people died of AIDS every minute, and revised estimates put the worldwide total of people infected with HIV at 38 million.

According to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency’s 2004 annual report, California has the second highest number of AIDS cases in the nation, and San Diego County has the third highest number in the state, following San Francisco and Los Angeles. The report documented 4,155 cases of HIV in the county since HIV reporting began statewide in 2002, and numbers increase among test subjects annually from 1.3 to 2.3 percent.

The tree lighting ceremony is sponsored by and a fundraiser for Mama’s Kitchen.

“It is our traditional annual opportunity to obviously raise funds for the mission of the organization, but to also acknowledge the people that are living with HIV and AIDS, continue to create awareness of the fact that it is still a major problem in our society – in our community,” Cortes said. “And to also remember folks who have passed away as a result of AIDS.”

The event draws approximately 150 people every year. Because the tree is located in the courtyard of the Village Hillcrest Retail Center, the snug area fills up quickly: Participants spread to the upper terrace, creating a cathedral-like effect in the plaza when the tree is lit and the candlelight vigil begins.

“For many people, it’s still a very important event,” Cortes added. “We get many hearts [ornaments with personalized messages] for the tree from people that have been taking part in this for many, many years, and still find it very valuable and important to acknowledge those loved ones that have long passed. So in that sense, it also plays a very important role in the community.”

Personalized ornaments commemorating loved ones will be displayed throughout the month of December, and can be purchased for $10 each or two for $15 at the tree lighting ceremony or through Mama’s Kitchen.

Last year’s ceremony included a five-minute video about Mama’s Kitchen, created at no fee by Time Warner Cable and Groovy Like A Movie. The commercial was broadcast to 44 cable channels in San Diego County to spread awareness and support for organizations like Mama’s Kitchen and for people with HIV/AIDS.

This year’s highlights haven’t been finalized yet, Cortes said, but the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego will once again perform holiday carols and a panel of the AIDS quilt will be on display.

The 13th annual Tree of Life Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 takes place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hillcrest Retail Center located at 3965 Fifth Ave. The event is free and open to the public. The trees and ornaments will be on display in the Village Hillcrest Retail Center throughout December, which is AIDS awareness month.