Realities For Children invites the community to attend the 27th annual tree lighting ceremony from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S. College Ave.
This free community event, presented by Blue Federal Credit Union, features live entertainment, complimentary hot drinks and cookies, a visit from Santa Claus and his reindeer, entry to win a giant chocolate Santa and a chance to win a $500 SCHEELS gift card. It concludes with the lighting of the 50-foot-tall blue Nightlights tree.
Creative Elements designed the NightLights tree, which boasts more than 30,000 programmable LED pixels, creating unique visual effects and a musical light show. The tree’s lighting display will premiere at the NightLights celebration and runs every night at 15-minute intervals throughout 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.
“The issues of child abuse in our community are overwhelming,” says Craig Secher, executive director of Realities For Children. “Last December alone, Realities For Children served 5,345 children and hope to raise enough to serve all in need. We are genuinely grateful for each light donated, which serves as a beacon of hope for so many children in our community.”
NightLights is Realities For Children’s largest fundraising outreach each year, from Nov. 1-Dec. 31. As the organization strives to keep up with the growing needs and demands of the children they serve, they encourage community members to help them reach further in service by donating a light on the NightLights tree. Thanks to all the NightLights sponsors, 100 percent of every donation goes to the Realities For Children Emergency Fund, which benefits children who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk.
“When you help take a child out of the darkness of abuse by giving them a nightlight this holiday season, you help bring hope through the collective support of our partner agencies we work with to see that no child in need is forgotten,” Secher says.
In 2023, Realities For Children provided:
- Emergency services for 5,116 children.
- Youth activities and homebase facilities space for 6,149 children and guardians.
- Essentials for 15,192 children.
To learn more about this free event or how to donate, visit giveanightlight.com.