Valley residents and their families are invited to “jump start” the holiday season at a “Lights for Life” celebration to be held on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 6:30 p.m. outside the East Tower Entrance of Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen.

The 16th annual event will feature a tree-lighting ceremony, with a giant Christmas tree to be lit with the flip of a switch by partners of Smith-Reagan Insurance and Swetnam Insurance Services, generous supporters of health care in the Valley. There will also be Christmas caroling featuring the First Baptist Church Choir and the St. Anthony’s Catholic School Choir; refreshments; and an early visit from Santa Claus.

Donations to help light the holiday tree -- and to help kindle the light of hope during the holidays -- may be made in memory of a friend or relative, in celebration of the birth of a child, in honor of someone special, or as a Christmas or birthday gift. Donations may be designated to a specific area of the health system, such as Valley Baptist’s Sandi Jo Funk Hospice Program, Pediatric Emergency Department, the Cancer Program, or where the need is greatest.

For more information on the community event or on making donations for the Lights for Life campaign, please contact the Valley Baptist Foundation at (956) 389-1614 or by e-mail at foundation@valleybaptist.net.