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Date: 10/30/2023
EASTHAMPTON — For many, the glimmer of holiday lights is one of the best parts of the upcoming holiday season. For Easthampton, it’s a tradition to light up downtown, but it comes with a high cost. Currently, resident Patrick Brough has a GoFundMe to raise the $16,000 needed to put up the display and pay for the electricity.
“The holiday lights around the city of Easthampton have been a tradition for as long as people can remember,” said Brough. “This has always been funded by donations from the business community and residents.”
Last year, Brough became aware that none of the organizations that had traditionally made the lights possible would be able to make that commitment, so he stepped in late in the season to ensure that the lights would be on display. This year, he started the fundraising campaign back in August to ensure that there would be a wonderful display.
“I felt that I couldn’t see the holiday seasons coming and going without there being the lights that normally are lit up around the city that make people feel festive no matter how they celebrate the holidays,” explained Brough. “I also felt the lights brighten the spirits of everyone during the holidays and dark cold days and nights of winter and so I had to do something.”
This year’s goal is to light all the trees from Nashawannuck Pond to the end of Cottage Street, 21 trees in all, and light the gazebo, fountain and many trees on the rotary. Brough said this is looking increasingly more and more likely as donations are starting to come in faster.
“It truly warms my heart over the last few weeks when I find checks delivered to the office from people all over the city,” noted Brough. “We have 122 different donations from residents and businesses, some as small as $10 and our current largest donation is from Easthampton Savings Bank of $2,500.”
Brough has publicized the fund on social media and through word of mouth, as well as had some assistance from the Rotary Club. who graciously agreed to accept donations from those who would feel more comfortable writing a check to the club rather than a person whom they may not know.
Brough is hoping to start having the lights installed in the next few weeks, but it does depend a bit on when Renew Holiday Lights has room on its schedule. He explained that the business has been doing the lights for years and that the new owners have been wonderful to work with. Brough knows that this fundraising will have to be an annual event, but he has faith that Easthampton will support the efforts.
“We have an amazing community of people in Easthampton,” said Brough. “I have heard from several people who are willing to work on some in-person fundraisers and in the past that was very successful. I hope to work with them to do that as we move forward.”
As of press time, the GoFundMe had generated over $10,000 in fundraiser.
Donations can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/easthampton-ma-holiday-lights-2023?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer.