Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada (DSOSN), the leading nonprofit organization and primary source of education, information, and support for Southern Nevada families affected by Down syndrome, and the Collaboration Center Foundation, a nonprofit disability resource network and community for achievement and inclusion is focused on providing family and peer engagement, social interaction, recreation, therapy and education to individuals and families living with all special needs, jointly announce that the 32nd Annual Festival of Trees and Lights™ family viewing nights and VIP Celebration event will be postponed to Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 10 respectively at Collaboration Center Las Vegas (LV) Ranch, located at 8390 W Windmill Lane. This postponement is directly due to the recommendations of Governor Steve Sisolak and the State of Nevada for residents to stay at home for two weeks to help curb the recent spikes in COVID-19 within the state.
“While we are disheartened to postpone this event, we are all in this fight against COVID together and stand behind our governor’s recommendation of ‘Stay at Home 2.0’ per his address Tuesday evening,” says Lynda Tache, CEO of Collaboration Center Foundation. “We hope that guests looking forward to the in-person experience will get in the holiday spirit at the LV Ranch after the Thanksgiving holiday and know that the celebration of the Festival of Trees and Lights will be just as beautiful online or in early December.”
The Festival of Trees and Lights online auction and preview will launch virtually on Saturday, Nov. 14 giving the public the opportunity to view and start bids on the exquisite trees, wreaths and gifts showcased at the annual event. To participate in the online auction starting Nov. 14, visit www.fotl.givesmart.com.
Guests who wish to visit the trees in person can get into the holiday spirit beginning Dec. 4. For anyone with a winning bid for trees, they can opt to have them delivered Dec. 11-13. Any guests or sponsors who have already purchased tickets to the family viewing nights or VIP event will be notified to reschedule to one of the new dates. All new dates are dependent upon all ongoing COVID-19 Nevada regulations and are subject to change.
“The health and safety of our fellow Nevadans, especially those with Down syndrome or other disabilities, is extremely important with COVID still around,” says Jeffrey Grassi, acting Executive Director and Board Chairman of DSOSN. “Even though we are postponing the in-person components of this year’s Festival of Trees and Lights, the public can still participate virtually with our extended online auction beginning Nov. 14.”
As a community collaboration event, proceeds raised from the Festival of Trees and Lights will remain local and benefit both organizations, allowing them to continue servicing individuals and families with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Socially distanced, in-person family viewing nights are by reservation only Dec. 4-6 from 4-8:30 p.m. These public evenings are available by ticketed-reservation only for one-hour time slots and are limited to 35 guests per hour. Adhering to social distancing guidelines and Nevada’s mask mandate, guests will be able to explore the LV Ranch grounds, view and bid on the online auction items on display, and enjoy treats and various photo opportunities. Individual tickets for family viewing nights are available for $10 or $30 for a family of five. The VIP event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6-8:30 p.m., tickets are $250 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To make reservations, become a sponsor or for more information about the Festival of Trees and Lights, please visit https://www.dsosn.org/festival-of-trees-and-lights or www.collablv.org.
