Lights 4 Hope, the nonprofit organization that produces the holiday drive-through light show at Okeeheelee Park, has a goal of giving back to local families coping with a child’s illness or lifechanging condition. One of the Lights 4 Hope families is the Chandler family. Nearly two years ago, Katie Chandler and her daughter Valerie were in a horrific car accident leaving Valerie paralyzed from the waist down. Lights 4 Hope supports these local families during the holidays through proceeds from the light show, sponsorships and fundraisers. On Sunday, Dec. 20, Lights 4 Hope held its big holiday drop-off of items for Valerie and her family. The event also happened to be the day before Valerie’s birthday. In addition to the drop-off, there was a large birthday caravan filled with friends, former teammates from the Wellington Volleyball Academy and a PBSO escort. PHOTOS BY ERIN DAVISSON
