Donations to illuminate the Paradise and District Lions Club’s Tree of Light will support children directly in Wellesley Township this year.
Proceeds will go toward renovating the Lions Park across from the St. Clements arena into an accessible playground.
Janet Pfaffinger, Tree of Light chairperson, says it will be built in multiple stages as money permits. Phase one will cost approximately $40,000. They’ve already received $30,000 from Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, which provides grants to priority issues in the community. The rest will come from the Tree of Light proceeds and the Lions will contribute the remainder. It will include soft surface flooring that’s safe and slip-resistant, two pieces of new climbing equipment, and some landscaping.
“We have a fair number of young children in the area. And we feel that we want them to be active and we want them to enjoy themselves. So we thought it might be a good idea to put money toward the park because we haven’t put much there since 2004. When equipment and everything gets 11 years old, it’s time to enhance or renew it,” Pfaffinger said.
The approximate area of the playground will be 25 feet by 50 feet and the new equipment should be installed in early spring, with completion in May.
Bulbs went on sale on Nov. 2 and can be purchased at Exotic Wings & Pet Things, My Sister’s Kitchen, InSeason Home & Garden, Styles by Lori, Creative Hair Works, and Kate’s Hair Den.
They can also be purchased during the month of November at public skating at the St. Clements arena on Sundays, at bingo in the community centre on Tuesdays, and in the church hall after mass on Sunday starting on Nov. 15.
She says lots of children use the playground equipment when their parents come to play baseball at the ball diamonds beside the arena. Even in the winter they see them playing at the playground. This will give them a nicer space to play on while their parents are occupied too.
“The equipment will provide a safe and accessible playground for children with varying levels of ability,” Pfaffinger said.
The tree went up last Tuesday and will be lit on Dec. 5 at the tree lighting ceremony. The 46-foot tree has 3,850 white lights on it and in the past seven years they’ve raised nearly $30,000 for community projects and local organizations.
They’ve previously given the proceeds of the Tree of Light to Heidelberg Park Pavilion renovations, St. Clement Catholic School and preschool, the local library, the Dog Guide program, local hospitals, the arthritis society, the cystinosis awareness and research effort, and Innisfree House.
“It’s due to the generosity of local businesses and individuals. Without the kindness and generosity of these wonderful people we would not be able to make our projects become reality. These people are so thoughtful and so kind and so generous,” Pfaffinger said.
In their inaugural year, they raised $2,475.80. Last year was their highest total, at $7,052.20. She says they’re thrilled with any amount of money they raise, but they always like to reach that $5,000 mark.
“The letters and flyers have only been out for one week and I made a deposit today of $1,020. So that’s quite impressive,” Pfaffinger said.
It costs $5 to light one bulb on the tree, $50 for a string of lights, or more than $50 to light the star. The tree lighting ceremony will be Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. behind the St. Clements Library. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be making an appearance at 5:45 p.m., and there will be caroling, apple cider, and treats.
