Ahead of the 40th annual lighting of the trees for the holidays at Ram Pasture, donations have started arriving at the office of Newtown Parks & Recreation.

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

The tree lighting is planned for Friday, December 13, at the trees near the southern end of Ram Pasture, at the corner of Elm Drive and Hawley Lane. See our calendar listings in print and online for additional information.

All are invited to 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.

Donations can also be submitted online. Visit newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation and click on Donate on the yellow Donate button in the center section of the website to use that option.

If going through the website, be sure to indicate within the message option if a donation is for a bulb and/or luminaria to honor someone.

Contact Parks & Rec at 203-270-4340 for additional information.

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

The following donations were received as of November 27:

In Honor/Memory Of

Grandpa Dan Del Vecchio, 1 bulb donated by The Del Vecchio Children & Families

Mafalda Pompam, 1 bulb donated by Daniel T. Pompa

Diana Johnson, 1 bulb donated by Amy Mangold