Dozens of Christmas trees that were donated in memory of the victims of the Lac-Megantic tragedy will be lit up Saturday evening during a ceremony following evening mass at the town's church.
The owners of Plantations Robert, a tree farm located in nearby Lac-Drolet, donated 50 trees to plant outside St. Agnes Church in Lac-Megantic to honour the 47 people who died in the accident last July.
In an email to CTVNews.ca, father-and-son owners Daniel and Alain Robert said they donated the trees because they felt they would serve as a "beautiful" memorial.
"Also for the families, that might be a little something that can help them in their pain."
They donated 50 Balsam firs in total: 48 measuring 2 metres high and two that measure more than 3 metres. They also donated a 1.8-metre Fraser fir Christmas wreath. The trees and wreath together would sell for nearly $1,500.
The Roberts said they knew some of the victims of the accident, "as we all know each other in small towns like this."
When they approached the church about planting the trees, the owners said "they instantly said yes."
CTV Montreal reported earlier this week that five local companies donated lights for the trees, which will be lit at 5 p.m. The Roberts will "of course" be in attendance.
