PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Beneath the archway of Sims Park in New Port Richey, magic is about to happen.
Christmas trees will light up and line the newly redesigned walkways.
“We’re going to have them on this side, and we’re going to have them on this side as well,” said Regan Weiss, who is organizing the event. “All you have to do is bring your decorations and bring the lights and supply some festive spirit.”
Weiss and his co-chair Joey Deeb say the idea was sparked by the cancellation of other holiday events the city would normally have because of COVID-19.
“All of the parades, all of Dr. Unger‘s events where he brings in snow, everything was canceled,” Weiss said.
But, he says the city manager gave him the go-ahead to have a socially distanced event where folks can come and go as they please to see the trees while they space themselves out.
“Within a day we had 60 trees reserved now we’re at 100 trees reserved,” he said.
It’s $200 to become a sponsor and that money will not only go to purchasing a tree but also to a family in need.
“We’re gonna take those monies and we’re going to split them up between different families that we choose and we’re also going to take it to the next level,” he said. “We’re going to decorate their houses, we’re gonna make sure their presents under the Christmas tree, so we’re just gonna spread that money around.”
He says a week or two before Christmas, they’re going to take the trees down and out of the park and donate them, fully decorated, to families who can’t afford a tree.
The trees will start going up this Sunday and a tree lighting ceremony will be on Dec. 6.
If you’d like to sponsor a tree, head to their Facebook group “The Hub”to get in contact with the organizers.
Hub Life Inc. has a committee currently selecting families that have been nominated.
