The Town Doesn't Light Greenwich Avenue. We Do.

There's a moment every December when Greenwich Avenue turns into the town we picture in our heads. The trees are lit, the shop windows glow, and walking from the train station up toward the top of the Avenue feels a little like stepping into a holiday movie. For many of us who grew up here, it's the moment the season officially begins. That moment has a name — Let There Be Lights, the volunteer effort that lights the Avenue and Cos Cob every year.

So here's something most people don't know: the town doesn't pay for any of it. You can see how it happens, and chip in yourself, at gwchavenue.org — here's the rest of the story.

So here's something most people don't know: the town doesn't pay for any of it.

Let There Be Lights is not a Town Hall initiative. There's no town funding and no town crew behind it. It's organized by two local residents and run through the Greenwich Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which is also why every donation is tax deductible.

Every light you see is funded by donations from residents and local businesses. Simply put: if we don't fund it, it doesn't happen.

The lights are more than decoration. They bring people downtown, fill the sidewalks on cold evenings, and give our local shops and restaurants a boost during the season that matters most to them. They're the backdrop to family photos, first dates, and the walk to dinner after the tree lighting. They're part of what makes Greenwich feel like home.

You don't need to be a major donor to make a difference. Every dollar helps, and the math is simple: the more we raise, the more trees we can light. A bigger fund means a brighter Avenue and a brighter Cos Cob. Donations can be made anytime at gwchavenue.org.

A heartfelt thank you to the businesses and residents already stepping up this year. Please shop and dine with them: Merchants include Faherty Brand, Vineyard Vines, Saks, RH, Shreve Crump & Low, Famille Jewelers, Richard's, Miller Motor Cars, and Toyota of Greenwich. Restaurants include Miku, Moli, Hinoki, and The Cottage. Real Estate supporters include the Greenwich Association of Realtors, Sotheby's, Coldwell Banker, Beau Chimel Design, Suzanne Marek Armstrong, Helene Barre, Karen Coxe, Francine Ehrlich, Joy Metalios, Kevin and DeAnne Sneddon, and Carol Zuckert.

Businesses supporting this year's effort include Interactive Brokers, Gabelli Funds, Northern Trust, M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust, First County Bank, Granoff Architects, Carlson & Carlson, Mandelbaum Barrett PC, L Catterton, Hegney Lennon & Slane, K Investments, HB Nitkin, Brand Street Properties, Fareri Associates, Lauricella Associates, Pickwick Plaza, Regency Centers, Reichenbaum Properties, Sutton Land, Marx Realty, New England Investment Partners, Paradigm Realty, Wilcon Holdings, DaDe Corporation, Malkin Family, Baratta and Persico Families, AGW Partners, Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, Greenwich Water Club, and LDN Management.

Thank you also to the residents who've stepped up: Keleshian Family, The DaPuzzo Family, Townsend Family Foundation, Lee Agnew, Arturi Family, Amanda Bates Goodro, Marion Beale, Roger and Roxana Bowgen, Emily Brahms, Jim and Kate Clark, Brendon DeSimone, Fowler Family, Horseneck Group LLC, Jackson Family, Cate Keeney, Michele Klosson, Sebastien Lahaie and Eleni Drinea, Matorin Family, Caroline McNally, Jim Mullins, Mary Caroline Parker, Dani & Jeremy Rossi, Judy Ruttkamp, Serpa Family, Geri Smerglio, Stamford Dental Group, Keith and Maria DeLisi Ward, Ben Ziemba, and Wendie Force.

This tradition has always belonged to the people of Greenwich. This year, let's make sure it shines brighter than ever. Donate at gwchavenue.org, share this with a neighbor, and we'll see you on the Avenue.