The nonprofit provided emergency support for 5,345 children in Northern Colorado in 2024
Realities For Children invites the community to attend the 28th Annual NightLights Tree Lighting Celebration from 5:30-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, located at 531 S. College Ave.
The free event features live entertainment from award-winning musician Steve Manshel and the Northern Colorado Dance Fusion Competition Team, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus and reindeer, an entry to win a 32-pound chocolate Santa from Kilwins Fort Collins and a chance to win a $500 SCHEELS gift card. It concludes with the lighting celebration of the 50-foot-tall blue NightLights tree.
“Last December alone, Realities For Children served thousands of children locally,” says Craig Secher, executive director of Realities For Children. “With community support, we hope to raise enough funds to also serve all in need this year. We’re grateful for each donated light, which is a gift of hope for so many children in Northern Colorado.”
Creative Elements designed the NightLights tree, featuring thousands of programmable LED pixels that create unique visual effects and a musical light show. The tree’s lighting display will premiere at the NightLights celebration and runs every night at 30-minute intervals throughout the month of December. The NightLights tree is blue to represent the international color of child abuse prevention and bring awareness to the very real issues of child abuse and neglect in our community.
NightLights is Realities For Children’s largest fundraising outreach, conducted from Nov. 1-Dec. 31 each year. Community members, families and businesses are encouraged to make a monetary donation of a “nightlight” to help brighten the lives of children in need. Thanks to NightLights sponsors and year-round business members, 100 percent of every donation provides direct emergency services and healing support for local children who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk.
“The caring support that is provided by every NightLights donation not only brings support and healing for children and families but also provides a message of hope as these children learn there are people who care for them and that they are not alone,” Secher says. “The NightLights tree is a symbol of our community coming together to help brighten young lives as we reach further into the darkness of child abuse so that no child is forgotten.”
To learn more about the event or how to donate, visit giveanightlight.com.
