It’s official. The holiday season has begun, kicked off by the 25th annual Lights of Love on Nov. 30.
Amidst a standing-room only crowd, Santa and Mrs. Claus ushered in the season by flipping the switch to turn on the lights adorning the Lights of Love tree in McCall Park along with all of the other lights and displays that adorn the downtown area.
Prior to the tree lighting, the program included a welcome by Plant City Mayor Nate Kilton, seasonal music sung by First Baptist Church Plant City Kids Choir and remarks by Karen Kerr, President of South Florida Baptist Hospital.
Mayor Kilton spoke about his love of traditions, which for him include purchasing his Christmas tree from the Optimist Club and attending Lights of Love. “This event just starts off the holiday spirit for me, you can’t help but be in a great spirit when you come out to our community like this,” he said. “This is what Plant City does, we get together and enjoy our company and we enjoy the holiday traditions.”
The event is also a fundraiser benefiting the Foundation at South Florida Baptist Hospital. The live tree is adorned with lights “purchased” by individuals, families and businesses in honor or memory of friends and loved ones. This year’s event raised more than $40,000, which will be used to support the purchase of much-needed equipment the new hospital, currently under construction, will need, provide scholarships for students interested in careers in health care and support team members who want to improve the patient experience in their departments. In total, within the last 25 years, the event has raised more than $600,000.
Foundation Executive Director, Jana Butler couldn’t be more grateful for the record attendance. “The community support is so heartfelt and we’re so pleased to work with the City of Plant City and First Baptist Church to put on a great event for everybody,” said Butler.