LIghted Christmas Balls on Lake Huron

Teri Nelson writes "I just wanted to let you know that my parents were so impressed with what you have accomplished, they are carrying your tradition to Michigan.  They hung their first balls last year and stunned the neighborhood- this year they imitated your fundraising event and had 20 people come to learn how to make the balls!" "Above is their house on Lake Huron (Port Huron, Michigan) last Christmas.  And to the left is a photo from their Christmas Ball party this October (they have to start early because it gets too cold with the north wind coming down Lake Huron)!


Nothing is more fun for us than to see this Sunset Hills tradition taken far away.  Thanks for sharing Teri


Whether you are nearby or far away, if you will send us your photos - we will post them and credit you with the accomplishment.  


I'm excited - it sure is getting close to the time to repair ours and get them up.  

"Where Oh Where can I buy those Light Balls"

Yep - that is the questions we are always asked. Well they are for sale, some Christmas Tree lots, some scout troops, some youth groups, even some enterprising folks have taken the model - bought the materials and put them online for sale.  Just so you know - if you see any for sale - it isn't us!  We have a 'day job' we love so we don't have time to make and sell them :) 


Some helpful information for you: Chicken wire costs ~ 1.00 per ball.  Lights costs ~2.50 per string - you need 2 of those - and the time cost about 5-10 minutes per ball. So depending on your billable rate - let's just take minimum wage for this puzzle because most of you are making these balls at a time of day when you normally aren't paid anything - so 1.00+5.00+1.21 = 7.21 per ball.  


The going rate for a ball seems to be around $25 and if you are buying it online that $25 does not include taxes or shipping.  I would encourage you to spend the 7.21 per ball make them yourself and contribute the balance ~17.79 directly to the food bank.   


Look on the right sidebar for printed instructions.  Also on the right sidebar is a video showing how it is done.  Folks this is a simple process and it is a fun thing to do with friends, kids, and neighbors.    


Please remember the food trailer will be out at 2205 Madison Ave Greensboro accepting canned food donations starting Thanksgiving and we will get some lights up after that.  


Have a lovely Thanksgiving - 
    

 Northern NC Workshop November 13th @ Morehead Hospital Eden, NC

Our friend Rod Mortenson asked us what we thought of installing Lighted Christmas Balls at Morehead Hospital in Eden.  The Eden Rotary Club was excited about the possibilities and invited Jonathan to speak.  Quickly they established a date for the workshop - rallied the people - made 60 Lighted Christmas Balls - and installed them with the help of a bucket truck furnished by xxxyyyy.  The tree will be turned on December 6.  The food drive has already begun.  Here are some photos from the Morehead Float in the Eden Christmas Parade November 25th. 

Greensboro's Lighted Christmas Balls glow all the way to Washington, DC

It's two weeks till Daylight Savings time and it's like we're still opening Christmas Presents.

Congressman Howard Coble called last week to thank us for spearheading Shine the Light on Hunger, collecting donations of money and canned food for Greensboro Urban Ministry and Second Harvest Food Bank of NW North Carolina, and last but not least, the beautiful Lighted Christmas Balls. The Congressman is, at heart, a "good finder."

Washington, DC could use some cheer

I've been thinking about Washington lately, how the mood there can turn on a dime, in fact these days, the mood up there is as bleak as bleak can be, what with the threatened shutdown and all. Maybe I should gather our army of volunteers and fill a truckload with Lighted Christmas Balls and go and brighten the place up. Washington could use a dose of hope and cheer. See artist's rendering, to right.

My relationship with the Congressman goes back a few decades and my admiration and respect for this man of integrity is deep. Let me know when Congress wants to host a Lighted Christmas Ball workshop; it would be our privilege.

Thanks Howard; your call the other day was a Surprise Joy.

Greensboro Running Club

Lighted Christmas Balls have all been put away for next season, the Groundhog missed seeing his shadow, but folks keep telling us how the Lighted Christmas Balls have touched their lives.  This one, just in, touched our hearts:

Dear Shine the Light on Hunger,

The Greensboro Running Club has been enjoying the Sunset Hills' Christmas light display for several years now.  Each year we marvel, not only at the festive display, but also at the community spirit that works so hard to impart the beauty of Christmas throughout their neighborhood. 

This year we would like to thank you with a donation to the Urban Ministry in the name of "Shine the Light on Hunger".  Please accept this gift as a small token of our appreciation for making our December-Tuesday runs a bit lighter and whole lot more joyous! 

All the best in the New Year!

THE GREENSBORO RUNNING CLUB

Jim Halsch
President

If running causes the men and women of GRC to look at life so closely and see so much what the lights are about, I say we all better take up running.

More information about The Greensboro Running Club may be found here.

Thank you Greensboro Running Club!

Image courtesy The Greensboro Running Club, all rights reserved

 

Rescued Lighted Christmas Ball #1

Friends Walker and Dabney Sanders know a good thing when they see it. And there it was, curbside, light strands tangled, a gigantic slinky looking thing looking like a garbage truck ran over it.  And just like bringing home  a stray puppy, they took it to their home. They cut non-working mini lights. They straighted bent chicken wire.  They pushed and pulled and patted the disfigured lump back into a glorious sphere. They finished it off with 200 brand new clear mini lights.  And they hung it up for all to see.

"We should form a non-profit, Lighted Christmas Balls Rescue," said Walker, half joking.

I thought he was serious, "What's the worst that could happen?" I chimed in.  "People giving us their dead Lighted Christmas Balls, us restoring them, including a certificate of authenticity, and in exchange for a tax deductible contribution, install said rescued Lighted Christmas Ball in the donor's honor."

It wasn't until I saw the first rescued Lighted Christmas Ball, hanging in all its splendor.  Restoration is good for the soul, and its easier than you think.  So take the first step, follow Walker and Dabney's lead. Ask a few friends join you.  Be heroic.  If this is you, drop us a line.  We'd love to see how we can change the world. One Lighted Christmas Ball at a time.

Food Drive Totals

Final Count as of 1/12/11

2nd harvest 12/6/10                                  369lbs
2nd harvest 12/13/10                                483lbs
Greensboro Urban Ministry 12/23/2010 1427lbs
Greensboro Urban Ministry 12/27/2010 1300lbs
2nd harvest 1/06/2010                              510lbs
TOTAL FOR 2010                                 4089lbs

Thanks for all you have done to 'Shine the Light on Hunger'
Anne and Jonathan

Ridgeway Drive in snow
Photo Julie Stahr

Julie Stahr a neighbor who lives on West Market Street was kind enough to share these photos with us today. Julie, these are just absolutely fabulous.

Photo Julie Stahr

Red lights in snow
Photo Julie Stahr

WFMY visits Sunset Hills, 1,427 pounds later, Sunset Hills visits Greensboro Urban Ministry

Aaron Glancy

Early Thursday December 23rd, WFMY's broadcast truck was out in front of Toad Hall.  Coffee mug in hand, I trudged out into the cold darkness to greet Aaron Glancy, WFMY's videographer, who was trying to pick up the satellite.  Friends Rod and Gardner soon joined us. We were scheduled to appear on The Good Morning Show with Tanya Rivera, but as Aaron explained, an unexpected shift in the satellite was preventing the live uplink, so we reconvened at WFMY's station. Barely awake, I'm there: