FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2012

CONTACT: Melanie Mowry Etters Communications Director (850) 488-4257

Tree Trimming at Tacachale

GAINESVILLE, FL—Tacachale Center in Gainesville will host its 28th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. Tacachale is located at 1621 Northeast Waldo Road. The center is home to 437 people with developmental disabilities.

The tree lighting ceremony is a festive event with tree trimming and holiday songs. There is a strong chance that Santa Claus may make a surprise appearance. The festivities are free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the fun activities including some tree trimming.

David Snyder of WCJB-TV 20 will serve as this year’s Master of Ceremonies. Father Roland Julien from St. Patrick Catholic Church will provide the invocation.

Performers include the Duval Elementary Choir directed by Musical Director Rhea Skaggs, the Soul Rockers, Tacachale Carolers directed by Tacachale Musical Director Megan Williams, and the Tacachale Dance Troupe “Controlled Chaos” (consisting of employees and residents) choreographed by Tacachale attorney Julie Waldman. For more information about the tree lighting ceremony activities, contact Justina McDonald at (352) 955-5829 or justina_mcdonald@apd.state.fl.us.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities annually serves about 50,000 Floridians with the developmental disabilities of autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CARES or visit apdcares.org.