Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 | 10:35 a.m.
Map of St. Jude's Ranch for Children
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City is inviting valley residents to its fourth annual Nights of Lights.
Visitors can grab a cup of hot cider and hop on a hayride. Bowls of hot chili will be served, and a silent auction will feature an assortment of exotic holiday gifts -- hotel and restaurant packages, helicopter rides and NASCAR tickets among them -- with all proceeds going to St. Jude’s.
Festivities begin at 4 p.m., and admission is free.
Santa Claus will arrive at 5 p.m., said Sarah Sheehan, director of communications and events, with a full "Secret Service" detail escorting him, as they did last year. Black suits, sunglasses -- the works, Sheehan said, “like the President’s in town.”
In addition to supporting the group’s mission, Sheehan said the Night of Lights gives their children a chance for a traditional holiday get-together that some of them have never experienced.
“Some have never even had presents,” Sheehan said.
“We considered the community our friends, and this is the first time they’ve had family and friends around,” she said. “People come over to their house to have a celebration. They absolutely love it. They have a blast. It means a lot to them, and they’ll have this memory forever.”
St. Jude’s Ranch, which was founded in Boulder City in 1967, offers shelter and support for abandoned, abused and neglected children.
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