To the Editor:

On behalf of The Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP), I would like to thank all who attended our 12th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.  This year, the Sandy Hook community gathered to light our traditional tree, and then joined together in lighting Sandy Hook’s new tree just across the street!  From the snow flurries outside Sandy Hook Hair Co. to 3D glasses, from Santa’s visit to face painting, it was a festive night in Sandy Hook with our biggest crowd ever!

Thank you to Mary Fellows for supplying many of the luminarias that lined the sidewalks and to Kat from the Graceful Planet for again supplying the DJ for the event. Thanks also to SingOut! CT for entertaining us with Christmas Carols throughout the evening.

The special dedication of our new tree could not have been possible without the generous donation of the green and white LED lights from the Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission, and the skillful placement of those lights by the Newtown Public Works tree crew, led by Anthony Capozziello and Jeff Thomas.

Lastly, I would like to give a special thank you to the SHOP event planning team who brought this special night to the community, and our membership who supported the idea of the double tree lighting this year. The new tree was installed as part of the recent streetscape project. Designed to replace the aging tree on the Forest Association property, this tree will allow tree lightings in Sandy Hook to continue for generations to come. We could not think of a better way to dedicate this new tree by honoring not only all those affected by last December’s event, but also by honoring the entire community, whose resiliency has shone through over the past 12 months.  Our new tree shines as a beacon of hope as we continue to move forward together.

The new streetscape project also led to many new streetlights, which are all decorated and brightly lighting the new sidewalks below.  We hope that you’ll continue to come to Sandy Hook to admire these festive decorations – and finish your holiday shopping – in the weeks to come!

Please mark Saturday, December 6th on your calendars for next year’s lighting!

Michael Burton

President

Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity

107 Glen Road, Sandy Hook                                  December 10, 2013