Main Street opens ‘Lights of Love’ fundraiser

WASHINGTON — Main Street Washington has opened sales for this year’s “Lights of Love” program. The fundraiser, started in 2017, allows people to buy spots in the square for Christmas trees, which they can decorate in honor of loved ones.

“We started the program to help citizens of Washington commemorate and remember … family members, friends who have passed away,” Main Street Washington Board of Directors President Maddie Widmer said. “Family members are encouraged, upon reserving their tree with our program, to decorate their tree.”

Main Street provides lights and red ribbons to all trees reserved through the program. Additionally, those who make a reservation before Nov. 12 will get a personalized wooden sign with the name of their loved one placed by the tree.

On top of the complementary ornaments, buyers are invited to decorate the spots in styles personalized to the those they commemorate.

The trees light up along with the rest of the square after the annual holiday parade every year, shortly after Thanksgiving. Widmer said it was a way of bringing people together.

“It really creates a sense of community, and it’s a source of healing for a lot of folks,” she said. “Losing another loved one is never easy, but seeing their lights on the tree every single time you drive by the square, I think, is always a nice touch to bring some comfort, some peace, some healing.

“Especially around the holidays, it seems to be that’s always when the passing of a family member is always the toughest. So having that memory literally lit up throughout the holiday season is just so therapeutic for a lot of folks.”

Main Street has acquired around 90 trees for this year’s fundraiser. Widmer said the organization sold out of spots every year, a goal they maintain going into this holiday season.

“Those are 90 folks or 90 families that have impacted Washington in major ways,” she said. “To see their memory kind of brought back to life in this capacity is cool.”

The event serves as a fundraiser for Main Street Washington. The organization buys the trees, sells the spaces in the park, which serves as one of the group’s biggest fundraisers of the year.

“The funds go to maintaining the trees, keeping up with the decorations so they look nice … throughout the entire winter season,” Widmer said. “Any additional funds go to winter program projects.”

Trees are available until Nov. 19, or until spaces sell out. They cost $100, and are available through the Main Street website or by contacting a board member.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com