2nd Annual Light More Homes Christmas Celebration to Support Macon Area Habitat for Humanity’s mission to Revitalize the Lynmore Estates Neighborhood

Chick-fil-A is hosting the 2009 Christmas Light Celebration to benefit Macon Area Habitat for Humanity. Returning host sponsors will be David Clark, Owner/Operator of Chick-fil-A located on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd and Presenting Sponsor Raffield Tire Master, along with numerous additional sponsors. “We hope all who experience it will get a glimpse of the joy and love that came down to Earth over two thousand years ago” said Chuck Hammock, AH&P partner and light display designer and Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Board member..

This season-long event will take place at the Chick-fil-A on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd. from Nov. 27-Dec. 31 during their normal evening operating hours.

Presenting sponsor Raffield Tire Master will again anchor this season long event along with supporting partners DECA, Middle Georgia Cruisers, Pollock Signs, The Shoppes at River Crossing, Cherokee Brick, ASI, Central Bank of Georgia, On the Spot Advertising, RSC Equipment Rental, Lamar Signs, Groome Transportation, Harvel Plastics, Smello Yellow, 13 WMAZ, Today’s MGT, ABC Macon WPGA, Fox 24, Macon Magazine, My Town Monthly, Address and 11th Hour.

"We love being the presenting sponsor of the Light More Homes Christmas Celebration," said Sam Raffield of Raffield Tire Master. "The annual light display is fun, beautiful and serves a great cause by raising funds for our local Habitat for Humanity which provides affordable homes for needy, low income middle Georgians. What a great way to show the love of Christ Jesus who was born on Christmas day."

Harold Tessendorf, Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director expresses his appreciation to Presenting Sponsor Raffield Tire Master, supporting sponsors, partners and the many community volunteers that will work tirelessly behind the scenes to make ready this light display.

“The birth of Jesus is a wonderful lesson about the power of community to overcome the adversity of sub-standard housing. Habitat’s mission as a Christian housing ministry is to bring together our community with families in need to build decent and affordable housing. The Light More Homes program points the way for more people to get involved with serving their neighbor through Macon Area Habitat for Humanity. We greatly appreciate the vision and hard work of our volunteers and sponsors who have seen fit to support our mission through this innovative event”, Tessendorf added.

“Light More Homes” grew from the desire of Chuck Hammock to bring smiles to kids and adults at Christmas. Through animated Christmas lights synchronized to music, Hammock reminds people of “The Light of the World”. The display began as a small residential drive-by yard display that was heard in cars via the FM radio. From there it moved indoors and was paired with the Live Out Loud Children’s Choir singing to the music and lights. In 2008 the event evolved into a significantly larger 35,000 light display enjoyed by thousands of adults and children.

An additional purpose of this annual event is to raise awareness to the need to eliminate sub-standard housing in Bibb and Jones Counties. Funds raised through sponsorship support and customer donations will go directly to support Macon Area Habitat for Humanity’s goal of building 46 decent and affordable homes in the Lynmore Estates neighborhood for low-income hard working families by 2013. Since Macon Area Habitat for Humanity’s chartering in 1986, it has built a total of 70 homes. Since 2005 17 of the 46 home construction goal has been achieved to date as part the affiliate’s wider Lynmore Estates Revitalization Program.

Clark hailed last year’s first efforts as being very successful generating sponsor and customer donation of $7,000 after expenses. The proceeds from the 2008 Light Show where applied along with additional sponsor gifts to Macon Area Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Mercer University sponsored build during the winter of 2009, said Clark. “The new volunteers and Habitat homes that come from this annual project are just blessings beyond the smiles I see from kids and adults that watch the celebration”, Clark added.

The 2008 display garnered interest from Chick-fil-a Corporate and the balance of the Macon Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators located on Zebulon Rd, Eisenhower Pkwy., Bloomfield Rd., and the Macon Mall. These additional restaurants will participate in 2009 as supporting host sponsors helping to increase the awareness of the event purpose and Macon Area Habitat’s Christian Housing mission.

For more information on how individuals, churches, groups or companies can partner with Macon Area Habitat for Humanity or specifically on the Light More Homes Christmas Celebration project, go to www.maconhabitat.org or contact Jim Mercer, Development Director at jmercer@maconhabitat.org .