Rotary Club of the Smithfields and LVHN–Pocono Foundation Hold 30th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Dec. 8, 2021) – The 30th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting was held on Wednesday, December 8 at the Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Pocono. Over the past 29 years, the Holiday Tree Lighting has evolved to be the premiere holiday event in the community. This long-standing partnership between the Rotary Club of the Smithfields and LVHN–Pocono Foundation raises funds to benefit local nonprofit agencies whose programs serve the needs of children in Monroe County. To date, more than $300,000 has been raised through this annual event.

This year $16,000 in grants were awarded to eight community non-profit agencies for items such as coats, boots, pajamas, healthy food, school supplies and health programming. Santa Claus arrived just in time to present the checks and hand out candy canes. 

Those agencies who received funding included:

• Family Promise of Monroe County
• Make-A-Wish Greater PA & WV
• Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network
• Pocono Area Transitional Housing (PATH)
• Pocono Mountains United Way
• Salvation Army - East Stroudsburg Corps
• Sights for Hope
• Women's Resources of Monroe County 

In addition to the grant award celebration, the festive evening showcased musical performances from local school choirs and bands. This year holiday entertainment was provided by Pocono Mountain East High School choir, East Stroudsburg High School – North chorale and the Pleasant Valley High School brass band.

At the conclusion of the performances, the children helped Santa to light the Christmas tree outside the Hughes Cancer Center while a gentle snow fell on the crowd.