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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18, 2010
                    CONTACT:
Melanie Mowry Etters
Communications Director
(850) 488-4257

Lighting Up the Holidays

GAINESVILLE, FL—Tacachale Center in Gainesville will host its 26th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. Tacachale is located at 1621 Northeast Waldo Road. The center is home to about 460 people with developmental disabilities.

The tree lighting ceremony is a festive event with tree trimming and holiday songs. It is rumored that Santa Claus may make a surprise appearance. The festivities are free and open to the public. Area residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the activities.

Performers include the Duval Elementary Choir directed by Musical Director Rob Hyatt, Tacachale Carolers directed by Tacachale Musical Director Megan Williams, and the Tacachale Dance Troupe "Controlled Chaos" (consisting of staff and residents) choreographed by Tacachale attorney Julie Waldman. Gainesville Job Corps Manager Byers Hickman will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
For more information about the tree lighting activities, contact Justina McDonald at (352) 955-5829 or justina_mcdonald@apd.state.fl.us

The agency annually serves about 35,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities of mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CAREs or visit http://apdcares.org.