TIFTON — The Tift County Commission on Children and Youth (TC3Y) is spearheading Go Light Up Your World, a community-wide event where luminaries are placed around the county to show support for providing safe and caring environments for children.

The day has been proclaimed “Go Light Up Your World Day” by both the City of Tifton and Tift County.

The commission is a nonprofit collaborative that works to improve the conditions for children, families and communities by working with the community to address serious challenges that face children and their families. They are asking community agencies, businesses, clubs, faith-based organizations and individuals to light white luminaries along the street in front of their properties by 7 p.m. on Oct. 25 and leave them burning until 8:30 (or longer).  

“At this time we have over 40 sites in Tift County who are participating and would welcome many more,” said TC3Y director Lillie McEntyre.

The hope of the event organizers is that many locations in Tift County will come together to show that the community cares about and supports the well-being of local youth. The day was chosen specifically to fall on a Wednesday because many local churches already host youth groups on that day.

The date also falls within national Red Ribbon Week, which focuses on drug use prevention in young people. National Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 23-31 this year.

Participants are asked to register so the TC3Y can track how many people and organizations are taking part and to be able to get aerial pictures of as many locations as possible.

TC3Y can provide white bags to everyone who registers. Each organization with a youth group is encouraged to have a program or activity to encourage youth to take control of their lives and to resist actions that are not in their best interests. TC3Y will also have pledge cards available upon request.

TC3Y wants to extend thanks to sponsors Tift Regional Medical Center, Tifton Merchants Association, Southern Office Products, Baxley Properties, After Hours Productions and Trillium Garden Center for their support in making this a successful event.

For more information or to register contact Lillie McEntyre at (229) 388-1000 or tc3y@friendlycity.net