Arc’s lights display fundraiser sets attendance record

The Arc of Sedgwick County’s Lights on Saint Paul display set an attendance record this holiday season.

This year, 23,036 cars drove through the display – 60 more than the previous record set in 2012, according to the group. In all, about 115,000 people came out to see the lights, said Kevin Fish, executive director of the Arc of Sedgwick County. The event raised about $93,300 in 33 days.

The Arc, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, uses that money to make its programs accessible to those who need them. Fish said last year’s fundraiser helped the organization offer about half of its programs at little or no cost to participants.

“What people did through the Arc’s lights will help brighten lives all year long,” Fish said.

Now that the event is over, all that’s left is the cleanup.

Volunteers, including community members, Arc clients and children involved in the Arc’s winter break program, gathered in the cold for 2 1/2 hours Monday morning to put away the 42 miles of extension cords that powered the 1.4 million lights that were a part of this year’s display.

The next task is putting away the displays themselves, which is planned for Jan. 10, Fish said.

The Lights on Saint Paul is the Arc of Sedgwick County’s biggest and most time-consuming fundraiser of the year. Fish said the group is already planning for next year.

“We literally start back in August to start building lights, creating new displays and working on getting those put out,” Fish said.

For more information about how to help put away the lights, to become a regular volunteer or to donate, call 316-943-1191.

This story was originally published December 29, 2014 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Arc’s lights display fundraiser sets attendance record."