Lowell Light & Power and Lowell Rotary Team Up to Sponsor Holiday Lighting Competition

In the first of what could become an annual event, Lowell Light & Power (LL&P) and Lowell Rotary have announced a light display contest.  Any LL&P customer is eligible to enter the contest, including businesses.  One resident and one business will be declared a winner later in the month.

Raising Money for Rotary Through Fun Competition

The idea of a contest occurred when the stars, or perhaps lights in this case, aligned.  LL&P’s General Manager Steve Donersloot, who is also a Rotarian, discussed a contest and donation with members of Rotary, including Tony Pearson last year’s President of the group.  LL&P has a Benevolence Policy which allows for a financial donation to non-profit organizations within the City of Lowell. The Lowell Rotary Club applied for funds in September of this year and the LL&P board approved the request the following month.  “This competition has the potential to be a fun and great event for the entire Lowell Community with a very good cause — the youth of our community – being the primary beneficiaries.” says Donkersloot.

A partnership was formed between LL&P and Rotary to hold a contest which provides some fun and holiday cheer in the community and raises funds for Rotary.  For each entry in the contest, up to 125, LL&P will donate $10 to Rotary’s Youth Services Committee. Even if you don’t have the most elaborate light display, entering the contest will help local youth.  “This committee supports the Interact and Early Act groups in our Lowell Schools, which give students opportunities to learn leadership skills and help them start a lifestyle of service above self, which is the Rotary motto.” says Pearson.  

Funds received by Rotary will be used to send students to Rotary’s Life Leadership conference.  If money is left over after that expense, support for students going on a Rotary International trip to El Salvador and club t-shirts for elementary school clubs would be considered.  Lowell’s First Look has written past articles highlighting the Interact and Early Act groups.  

Enter Now, Winners Announced Later in December

It’s easy to enter the light display contest.  Contact LL&P via their Facebook page, give them a call at 616-897-8402, or send an email to [email protected].  They’ll need the name on the LL&P account and that’s it.  Staff will verify the entry is a customer of the utility and keep track of address which have entered.  Judging will be done by a Rotary Board member, a LL&P Board Member and a City resident.  

The business division for the contest will have to meet some high standards this year set by Greenridge Realty with their Holiday Lights and Music Show.  The display can be seen daily from 5:45pm – midnight through December.  They’re sweetening the show tomorrow by handing out candy between 5pm – 8pm.  Elves, or agents, at Greenridge have been busy stuffing bags with candy.  Some may have snuck a piece or two for themselves. “Yes, we whistle while we work.  We also eat excess candy. But no worry, there is plenty to go around.” comments Rick Seese, Associate Broker/Manager of the Lowell location.  

LL&P anticipates highlighting entries which are in the final running for this year’s competition.  Entries with the most “extravagant” light display will have the best chance of winning. One business and one residential winner will be announced the week of December 16.  In addition to bragging rights, the winner in each category will receive a trophy. Move over Stanley Cup, there’s talk that the trophy will not only display the winner’s name but become one which is passed on year to year.  If a trophy sporting your name isn’t enough, the winners will also receive a prize basket filled with items donated by Rotarians. Rumor has it FROM gift certificates, Lowell Bucks, and other surprises are up for grabs making this prize worth going all out with your lights.  

Pearson says Rotary is excited to team up with LL&P to help benefit the youth in the community while celebrating the holiday spirit.  “We are hopeful that this contest will become a tradition our entire community can share and we are incredibly grateful to Lowell Light & Power for this opportunity.” he concludes.