Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Animal Protective League (APL) has invited the public to join them on Saturday to enjoy the annual Tree of Lights ceremony.

The ceremony will be at 1001 Trainor Road, and this ceremony is held to be a beautiful way to honor and remember loved ones, both animal and human. At the center of the ceremony there will be a heartwarming tree lighting at 5:30 PM then followed by a poetry reading and a chance for the public to share their personal memories with the other attendees.

In a press release provided by the APL, it was stated that for every five-dollar donation, a small, white light will adorn the Tree of Lights to serve as a beautiful tribute. You can purchase the lights online, or in person at the APL shelter office.

All of the proceeds from the acquired donations will go to benefit the non-profit organization’s sick, injured, abused, or abandoned cats and dogs. If you have a Tree of Lights message you want to submit, you can do so up until December 31, and all of the messages submitted before the event will be included in a PowerPoint presentation that will take place at the ceremony.

Despite the deadline to submit your tribute message is December 31, and if you don’t get your submission into the APL in time for the power point, they will be adding all of the submissions to a special page on the APL website, to allow for a lasting tribute.

If you cannot attend the ceremony in person, you can watch the live stream of the event on the APL Facebook page.

APL’s shelter is open every day from 12PM to 5:00 for adoptions.

The APL also coordinates cruelty investigations, humane education programs and operates a low cost spay/neuter clinic adjacent to its Springfield shelter.

For additional details or if you have questions, visit the APL Website or call 217-544-PETS (7387).