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 announced last week, is also being cosponsored by Adult & Pediatric Counseling, located in Sandy Hook.

Mangold also extended her thanks to Newtown Cemetery Association, which owns Ram Pasture and allows its use for the annual celebration.

The fundraising effort will continue through the end of the year. Donors may contribute $10 for a bulb or luminaria to honor someone special. Readers are asked to use send a check or money order payable to Newtown Parks & Recreation Gift Fund to cover the number of bulbs and/or luminaria they wish to donate for, along with a note indicating who they are honoring, and whether they wish to honor or memorialize someone with a luminaria or bulb.

Checks should be mailed to Newtown Parks & Recreation, 8 Simpson Street, Newtown CT 06470.

They can also be dropped off at the Parks & Recreation office, within Newtown Community Center at 8 Simpson Street.

Tree Lighting Details

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 17:

In honor of Edward & Alexander Malinowski, from The Marini Family, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Augusta Marini, from The Marini Family, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Marvin & Diane Shreders, from Debbie Malinowski, 2 bulbs;

In honor of Rita & Andrew Willie, from The Mangold Family, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Jack Honan & Clarence Pitman, from Newtown Parks & Recreation, 2 bulbs and 2 luminaria;

In honor of Cleo, a friend to all, from The Reggiano Family, 1 bulb and 1 donation;

In honor of Charles & Ethel Tanger, from Wayland & Diana Johnson & family, 2 luminaria;

In honor of Noel & Margaret Johnson, from Wayland & Diana Johnson, 2 bulbs;

In honor of Sondra A. Gilbert, from Monique & Dan Gilbert, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Stephen Baribeault, from Monique & Dan Gilbert, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Irene Kane, from Monique & Dan Gilbert, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Barbara Baribeault, from Monique & Dan Gilbert, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of Jean Swedt, from Monique & Dan Gilbert, 1 bulb and 1 luminaria;

In honor of The Grant Family, from Bob & Deb Burkhart, 1 bulb;

In honor of The Scott Family, from Bob & Deb Burkhart, 1 bulb;

In honor of Monica DeFeo, from Bob & Deb Burkhart, 1 bulb;

In honor of Robert Kavovit, from Veronica, Jeffrey & Kathryn Kavovit, 1 bulb; and

In honor of Mr & Mrs John Saranotski, from The Frankonis Family, 1 bulb.