LCEC back in Festival of Trees

One of the biggest supporters of Goodwill and its mission to help those with disabilities find and keep meaningful employment has been LCEC.
The power company will continue its support by participating in the Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida’s Festival of Trees for the 14th consecutive year. Since the inception of this event in 2006, LCEC has crafted 14 fun and festive trees, and this year’s is no exception.
This year’s “Home for the Holidays” tree will surely be a hit and help to bring in much-needed funds for the local Goodwill.
The tree, along with more than 20 others, will be raffled off as part of its Festival of Trees celebration Dec. 3-6 at the Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers.
Laura Puerto, senior public relations specialist at LCEC, said they are happy to be part of the event again because of the work it does in the community, especially for those who don’t have much.
“Maybe if there’s someone who doesn’t have $1,000 to spend on a tree can buy $5 worth of raffle tickets and have a chance to win a great tree,” Puerto said.
The LCEC “Home for the Holidays” tree is 9 feet tall and includes nearly $1,000 in gift cards and a 65-inch 4k Smart TV to help keep you close to home this holiday season.
“We want people to be close to home during the pandemic and we have gift cards to local restaurants for takeout and to Publix, where they can have things delivered,” Puerto said. “Hopefully, with the TV, they will be at home with the family.”
Puerto said their favorite tree to date was one adorned with more than 150 hand-painted light bulbs by LCEC employees, which won an award for most creative tree about five years ago. They also won most original last year for their wine tree.
LCEC has been a longtime supporter of Goodwill and its efforts toward helping those with disabilities find and keep meaningful employment.
This is the largest fundraiser of the year for Goodwill, and 23 trees will be raffled off this year, with the winner of each tree having it delivered to their house.
Debra Donatto, director of communications and marketing at Goodwill of Southwest Florida, said she was surprised by the overall involvement from the business community with COVID-19, saying she thought they may have to cancel it. But it was decided with social distancing and other safety measures, they could pull it off.
“We’ve had people with low income win the Costco tree with a large-screen TV and toys. Everyone has an opportunity to win these trees,” Donatto said. “It’s been a long-standing tradition here. We have people come when they were kids and now, they’re bringing their kids.”
Winners need not be present, but should notify Goodwill when it calls of when they will be home to take delivery on the tree.
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is at 2301 First St. in the River District in downtown Fort Myers. Festival admission is $2 for visitors age 12 and up.
For more information, visit www.goodwilltrees.com or call 333-1933.