Come share the spirit of the holiday season with The Wellspring at their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event on Tuesday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Winnsboro’s Patriot Square. Enjoy warm drinks and sweet treats, while listening to cheerful sounds from some local talent. There will be fun activities for the entire family. Kids can get free festive designs at the face-painting booth.

The Wellspring is excited to host their 6th Annual Chili Cook-off and tasting! Join in the competition by preparing a 5-7 quart pot of chili to be served at the event. Tasting is free, but guests are encouraged to vote for their choice of tastiest chili by making a monetary donation to The Wellspring. “There’s no rule that says you can’t start raising your donations right now; after all, the cook with the most money is the winner!” said Patricia Simon, Community Education Coordinator for The Wellspring. “Come join the fun, show off your best chili recipe, but be prepared for some good-spirited “trash talking” from the competition!”

However, if you can’t attend the event on Tuesday, November 29, you can still take part. Share the spirit of the season by sponsoring a light on the community Christmas tree to honor or remember a loved one. For each light sponsored, your name and the name of the person you are honoring or remembering will be placed in The Franklin Sun. Those honored will receive a personal card announcing your gift.  In addition, ornaments with the name of those honored will be placed on The Wellspring’s Christmas Trees located in front of the office at 303 Prairie Street. Lights start at 1 for $10, 5 for $30, 10 for $75 and 20 for $125. Forms to purchase lights are available in the Franklin Sun or by calling The Wellspring at (318) 412-0226. This thoughtful way of honoring others truly shares the spirit of the season in our community in a way that will continue long after the lights have been put away.

All proceeds are used to provide housing, buy clothes and food, and meet other basic needs for Franklin Parish families fleeing from a domestic violence situation. For more information or to enter the competition, call The Wellspring’s Winnsboro office at (318) 412-0226, or Patricia Simon at (318) 237-4284.