The 25th annual Lights of Love tree lighting ceremony at downtown McCall Park in Plant City marks the start of the holiday season. The 20 ft. live tree is adorned with lights “purchased” by individuals, families, and businesses in honor or memory of friends and loved ones. Proceeds benefit the many services and programs at South Florida Baptist Hospital (SFBH). “This event has some amazing longevity in our community,” Jana Butler, SFBH Foundation Executive Director said. “This a dual event for us. It’s a free community event and a fundraiser for the hospital.”
The way the fundraiser side of the event works is that donors can name a represented light on the tree in memory of someone. “It gives folks an opportunity to give a special remembrance of someone they cared about,” Butler said. “The Foundation and the City of Plant City co-sponsor this traditional family event that is open to the community and free of charge,” Butler said. “No tickets are required. Families and guests enjoy holiday music by local choirs and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a nominal fee.” All the funds raised at Lights of Love go to help with community outreach and services at the hospital.
Sponsorship opportunities for this event range from the Supporting Sponsor at $250 to the Lights of Love Major Sponsor at $5,000. This level of sponsorship receives a box under the tree with their name printed on it. Individual lights begin at $25 each and must be purchased in advance. All sponsors and lights purchased are listed in the evening’s printed program. “There are community sponsors who sponsor lights on the tree as well,” Butler said. “TECO is our presenting sponsor of Lights of Love for this year. TECO and the other community sponsors are represented by wooden boxes that look like packages under our tree. All of this is on display for the month of December.”
Lights of Love will be held on Thursday, November 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. “We have Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, which offers refreshments for our guests,” Butler said. “We also have ‘Decorative Christmas’ which features apparel sales. This year we are selling reindeer antlers and Santa hats that light up because all of the children who come to Lights of Love like to be a part of the lights at our events. We hope everyone will come out this year to help Santa count down from 10 to light up all of Plant City and the Lights of Love Tree.”
If you would like to learn more about Lights of Love or if you’d like to be a light sponsor, you can visit SFBH Foundation’s website at sfbhfoundation.org.