ComEd’s Powering the Holidays Program awards a total of $45,000 in grants to support community-based lights events

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Halloween is just around the corner, which means the holiday season is about to begin! Holiday celebrations are an important way for our communities to build connection and cheer. To support local holiday displays, ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus today announced grants of up to $2,500 each for 18 northern Illinois communities as part of the annual ComEd Powering the Holidays Program.

“Festive displays of light are central to the treasured winter traditions of communities across northern Illinois," said Louie Binswanger, Senior Vice President of Government, Regulatory and External Affairs at ComEd. "In partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, we are proud to power the magic of the season by supporting a variety of holiday lights displays designed to bring our communities together to celebrate their cultural traditions."

"We are thrilled to once again partner with ComEd on the Powering the Holidays Program," said Neil James, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. "We are excited to see the variety of light displays. It will be rewarding to see these grants provide communities a sense of unity during the holiday season and help people develop a respect and understanding for different cultures."

The grant program, established in 2021, celebrates local communities’ identity and culture by supporting holiday programs that promote intercultural exchange and provide a pathway for all members of these communities to gain a sense of belonging. The program also aims to promote sustainability and energy efficiency through the use of LED lighting. With the addition of the 2023 grant recipients, ComEd has now awarded 46 communities and organizations a total of $113,000 in grants to power holiday lights events since 2021.

Powering the Holidays grants can be used for any community holiday lights event held from November 1, 2023, to February 13, 2024. Municipalities, townships, counties and other local governments within the northern Illinois areas ComEd serves were eligible to apply.

Powering the Holidays is an extension of ComEd's long-time sponsorship of and support for holiday lights events at Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Botanic Garden. For more information about Powering the Holidays, visit the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus website.

This year's 18 ComEd Powering the Holidays grant recipients and the programs to be supported are:

City of Aurora’s Winter Lights Festival (Aurora, Ill.) – This year’s festival will kick off on November 17 with a holiday parade throughout downtown Aurora. During the festival, guests are invited to take pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and enjoy other holiday activities. The neighborhood will be adorned with holiday lights and decorations, which will remain on display through early February.

Beecher Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Beecher, Ill.) – On November 26, guests are invited to participate in the Village of Beecher’s largest holiday celebration to date – a holiday parade through the town culminating in the lighting of the village holiday tree. During the event, there will be photos with Santa, holiday refreshments and a canned food and toy drive.

Village of Berkeley 4th Annual Electric Lights Festival (Berkeley, Ill.) – This grant will expand the village’s existing lights festival by adding new displays, all of which will be illuminated on December 1. The light festival is a free event for the community to spread holiday cheer all season long.

Holiday Magic on Main Street (Burlington, Ill.) – On December 2, this annual event invites residents to celebrate the lighting of the Main Street holiday displays and tree. The tree will be decorated with ornaments made by community members, and the event will include hot cocoa, cookies and carolers.

Village of Calumet Park 2nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting (Calumet Park, Ill.) – This year’s event will be expanded to include more diverse decorations to highlight the beauty of Calumet Park on December 1. During the event, participants are encouraged to participate in a food and clothing drive to benefit members of the community.

Holiday in the Hills (Campton Hills, Ill.) – This year’s event will be enhanced with new, sustainable LED lighting displays to celebrate the diverse holiday traditions within the community. On December 2, members of the community are invited to participate in a holiday tree lighting ceremony and winter festivities.

South Shore Power Up (Chicago, Ill.) – Real Men Charities is hosting an interactive lighting of a multi-media holiday display along the 75th Street corridor beginning on December 1. The light installation will tell the stories of South Shore’s holiday traditions, enabling the community to come together and celebrate.

Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) – The winter holiday season will start in Glen Ellyn on November 24 with the Holiday Walk and tree lighting. Every Saturday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, families can enjoy free holiday fun including holiday light displays, a Cookie Walk, and more.

Village of Gurnee’s Holiday Lights at Welton Plaza (Gurnee, Ill.) – On December 7, Gurnee will host an evening filled with holiday spirit, lighting displays, and community. To reflect the diversity of the community, a variety of local cultural and community organizations will be performing at the event.

City of Harvey Holiday Lights Event (Harvey, Ill.) – The City of Harvey is expanding its annual tree lighting event with additional lighting displays along Broadway Avenue. During the Holiday Lights Event on December 16, members of the community are invited to visit with Santa, and enjoy carriage rides, hot chocolate and a range of performances.

Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting Magic (Hillside, Ill.) –During this event on December 7, residents are invited to explore six miles of streets and parkways in town decorated with holiday lights and spend time with neighbors enjoying holiday refreshments and carolers.

Village of Justice Tree Lighting and Winter Wonder Land (Justice, Ill.) – On November 27, the Village of Justice will host a tree lighting ceremony with more than 20 trees decorated by residents, cultural organizations and local businesses – representing the various traditions and customs within Justice. On December 2, the public is invited to the Winter Wonderland Event where attendees can enjoy arts & crafts, holiday treats, and a visit from Santa.

Lansing Holiday Festival (Lansing, Ill.) – Hosted at entertainment venue, Fox Pointe, members of the community are invited to come together for a holiday tree lighting ceremony, lighting displays, and more on December 2. Funding from this grant will increase the number of lighting displays during the event.

Village of Maywood Unity in the Community Holiday Lights (Maywood, Ill.) – The Village of Maywood and the Maywood Park District are excited to host the third annual Unity in the Community Celebration on December 2. Located on historic 5th Avenue, guests are invited to experience the magic and beauty of the holiday season with lights and decorations throughout village streets and green spaces.

2023 Minooka Village Christmas (Minooka, Ill.) – On December 9, the Village of Minooka is inviting members of the community to a one-day Village Christmas. The event brings together families, friends, and community leaders to enjoy light displays, holiday treats, cookie decorating and more. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in the Village Christmas food drive to benefit neighbors in need.

Merry and Bright in Spring Grove (Spring Grove, Ill.) – This event encourages community engagement and holiday cheer filled with holiday lights, music performances and more on December 2. One lucky family will flip the switch to turn on the village lights and holiday tree decorated with handmade ornaments supplied by members of the community. Event attendees are also encouraged to participate in the Fill the Sleigh program, where the community collects food and gifts for families in need.

Village of University Park Holiday Lights Event (University Park, Ill.) – This year, University Park is hosting its tree lighting ceremony on December 2, inviting members of the public to join in on making memorable holiday experiences. The event will also include a toy and coat drive to benefit low-income families in University Park.

Tree Lighting at City Hall (Wood Dale, Ill.) – Members of the community are invited to see the city lights turn on December 2, signifying the start of the holiday season. The event will include a tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, seasonal crafts, face painting, hot cocoa, hayrides and more.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Source: ComEd