Ahead of the 2021 lighting of the trees for the holidays at Ram Pasture, donations have started arriving at the office of Newtown Parks & Recreation.

Donations cover the costs associated with the annual tree event, which is being cosponsored by the Borough of Newtown and Newtown Parks & Recreation.

The event this year, Parks & Recreation Director Amy Mangold recently announced, is also being cosponsored by Adult & Pediatric Counseling, located in Sandy Hook.

Additionally, the Board of Burgesses of the Borough of Newtown recently made a $1,000 donation toward the tree lighting effort.

Donors may contribute $10 for a bulb or luminaria to honor someone special. Readers are asked to use the coupon printed on this page to indicate who they are honoring, and whether they wish to honor or memorialize someone with a luminaria or bulb.

Checks should be made payable to Newtown Parks & Recreation Park Gift Fund, and mailed to Newtown Parks & Recreation, 8 Simpson Street, Newtown CT 06470.

Checks can also be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation office, within Newtown Community Center on Simpson Street.

The fundraising effort will continue through the end of the year.

This year’s tree lighting is planned for Friday, December 3, at the trees near the southern end of Ram Pasture, on Elm Drive at Hawley Lane. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 pm, and Santa Claus will light the trees at 7. Children are invited to drop letters for Santa in a box that will be set up for that use.

Luminaria will line Ram Pasture, and many of the streets and roads leading to the historic property. Parks & Rec employees will put most of the boxes out early that afternoon. Newtown Hardware has donated many candles for that evening, and arranged for discounts on others that need to be purchased.

The following donations were received as of November 23:

In honor of The Godfrey Family, from Lorraine Godfrey, 1 bulb;

In honor of John, Margret & Lorraine, from Lorraine Godfrey, 1 luminaria;

In honor of Leslie & Chris Nagot, from Lorraine Godfrey, 1 bulb;

In honor of Lynda H. Korotash, from Carol M. Donahue, 1 bulb;

In honor of The Corey Family, from Kevin Corey, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of The Grimsley Family, from Kevin Corey, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of The Horn Family, from Kevin Corey, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Jack, Anna & David Doherty, from Maureen & Katherine Will, 1 luminaria;

In honor of John, Connie & Peter Will, from Maureen & Katherine, 1 luminaria;

In honor of 911 Dispatchers, from Maureen & Katherine, 1 luminaria;

In honor of Our Family and Friends, from Gail Dininico, 1 luminaria; and

In honor of The Gilbert Family, from Michael S. Gilbertie, 2 luminaria.