2020 Gift of Life Donor Trees

November 9, 2020

As the holiday season approaches, MORA would like to honor and remember our donor families and their loved ones who have given the Gift of Life through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

Our tradition of recognizing our donor heroes during our annual Gift of Life Donor Tree ceremonies will look a little different this year in an effort to protect the health and safety of our Donate Life community. Although we will not be able to hold in-person gatherings, we will still honor our heroes and their gifts through our Gift of Life Donor Trees.

This year, MORA staff will place our donor hero ornaments on behalf of our donor families who have participated in our Donor Tree ceremonies in the past. For new donor families (families whose loved one gave their gift during October 2019 – September 30, 2020), please see ornament instructions below.

Gift of Life Donor Trees will be placed at the following locations:

  • Edgewater Mall, 2600 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39531
  • Northpark Mall, 1200 E County Line Rd, Ridgeland, MS 39157
  • Turtle Creek Mall, 1000 Turtle Creek Dr, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
  • Midtown Point Plaza, 499 Gloster Creek Village, Tupelo, MS 38801

We will announce on social media as each Gift of Life Tree comes on display so that you and your loved ones may visit the tree at your convenience.

We encourage you to share photos/videos of your loved one’s ornament on your personal Christmas tree or on our Gift of Life Trees throughout the holiday season and tag MORA on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (@donatelifems). We would love to be a part of any special way you honor or remember your loved one during the holiday season and we would like to share it with our broader Donate Life community in an effort to celebrate together “virtually.” Again, please tag us (@donatelifems) and use the hashtags #GiftofLife2020 and #DonateLifeMS.

We are forever grateful for your giving spirit that has changed and saved many lives. Your MORA family is wishing you love and peace as you hold special memories in your hearts this season.

How may we help?

While we may not be able to gather in-person this year, MORA is still here to support you in any way that we can. We realize this season can be difficult for those grieving, so we encourage you to take special care of yourself. Click here for ideas and suggestions that you may find helpful.

For any questions or for additional support, please contact our Coordinator of Aftercare, Vicki Shoemake at vshoemake@msora.org or (601) 622-6769.

Ornament instructions for new donor families:

For families whose loved one gave their gift during October 2019 – September 30, 2020, please email a photo of your donor hero to our Coordinator of Aftercare, Vicki Shoemake, at vshoemake@msora.org along with the following:

  • the name of your loved one as you would like it displayed on the ornament
  • your name and mailing address
  • the tree location at which  you would like your hero’s ornament to be placed on display

We will utilize this photo to create an ornament to be displayed on the tree of your choosing as well as an ornament that we will mail to you as a keepsake.