Palm Tree Lighting Brings Christmas Spirit

They may not have had a lot of pine trees around, but that didn’t stop Boys Town Central Florida from kicking off their holiday festivities with a palm tree lighting ceremony Sunday, December 5 at their Demetree campus.

A tradition they started the same year their residential program was established in 1986, you could say Boys Town Central Florida is a pro when it comes to tree lighting. Each year has been special, and this year was no different.

Community guests toured the Treatment Family Homes and Intervention Assessment Center after caroling in Santa Claus as he rode in by motorcade. After officially lighting the tree, the children gathered round to tell Santa what was on their wish list.

Honorary citizenship awards were then presented to Tony and Kathy Gautsch, founders of the Brian Christopher Lanier Wings of Hope Foundation, and Mike and Gloria Holland, owners of Holland Pools. Both organizations have supported Boys Town Central Florida for several years and in many ways.

Upon receiving the award, the Gautsch’s presented a $50,000 donation to Boys Town Central Florida. Gator Branch of Foresters also donated $1,000, which will be matched by the William C. Demetree Jr. Foundation as part of the Demetree Match Challenge.