For the sixth year, the Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings return to various areas in Bennettsville.

The 2021 Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings has a theme of “Christmas Together & Better.”

Each tree is placed in a location in the city with a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by a neighborhood partner. Jalaya Liles Dunn, the founder of the event, said coming up with the theme was easy.

“Last year, our theme was ‘Christmas Together’ as we wanted to address feelings of isolation during this pandemic,” she said. “Our virtual and distancing outreach demonstrated the connection of our community more than ever. Building on what we learned last year, we have found greater ways to engage with our neighborhoods, reminding all that we are still together and have come back as a team of neighborhood partners even better.”

The tree lightings have grown beyond trees and neighborhood sites in six years. They have grown into a true community tradition.

“Although our participating neighborhood sites have been consistently the same, the increase of support from the community has been amazing,” Liles said. “We are able to do more and reach more in targeted ways that started from us dedicating ourselves as true neighbors through the lighting of our neighborhood Christmas trees.”

This year, there are six Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings in Bennettsville with an additional lighting happening in the Tatum community, distribution of 400 holiday cheer boxes, 400 food boxes, participation in coat drives and many neighborhood-based giveaways that are made possible through the generous donations and partnership with House of J Neighborhood Partners, Marlboro County Coordinating Council/Empower Marlboro County, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Upsilon Sigma Omega Chapter, Representative Patricia Henegan, Councilman Tyron Abraham, Bennettsville Fire and Police Departments and Marlboro County Sheriff’s Department. The schedule of tree lightings includes:

— First Day of Christmas: Monday, Dec. 13, 5-5:30 p.m., Down West Neighborhood, corner of Marshall Street and McKay Circle; and Firestone Neighborhood, Second Baptist Church, 422 State Street. Sponsored by Bennettsville City Councilman Tyron Abraham, Rep. Pat Henegan, and Men of the Corner.

— Second Day of Christmas: Tuesday, Dec. 14, 5-5:30 p.m., Mill Farm Neighborhood, West Main Street. Sponsored by Mill Farm Neighborhood Partners. — Third-Day of Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 5-5:30 p.m. Richardson Park Neighborhood, 400 Mills Street. Sponsored by Richardson Park Neighborhood Partners.

— Fourth Day of Christmas, Thursday, Dec. 16, 5-5:30 p.m., Knollwood Acres Neighborhood, 563 Terrace Drive. Sponsored by Knollwood Acres Neighborhood.

— Fifth Day of Christmas, Friday, Dec. 17, 5-5:30 p.m. Shady Rest/Cheraw Highway Neighborhoods, New Life Fellowship Church, 216 Third Avenue. Sponsored by New Life Fellowship Church of Bennettsville and Mama Blair’s.

— Sixth Day of Christmas, Saturday, Dec. 18, 5-5:30 p.m., Downtown Neighborhood, A+Auto Spa, 200 W. Main Street. Sponsored by A+Auto Spa.

— Seventh Day of Christmas, Sunday, Dec. 19, 5-5:30 p.m., North Bennettsville Neighborhood, 1581 David’s Mill Pond Road #601 Sponsored by Victory World Outreach Center. “I encourage neighbors to join with neighbors at their dedicated neighborhood tree lighting locations and dedicate themselves to supporting and caring for each other,” she said.

Safety precautions for all Neighborhood Christmas Tree Lightings include social distancing (at least 3 feet, fist bumps), face coverings for all guests (strongly suggested), abbreviated programming and group gathering , and cleansers and hand sanitizer available onsite.

Liles said the tree lightings are a highlight for her each year. “I have always loved Christmas and learned very early from my mom that the holidays are what you make them,” she said. “So we made the holidays beautiful, full of love and grand in my family. I realized six years ago that many people were in their homes, especially those with children, may not have the resources or capacities to truly embrace the beauty of the holidays, although they would see it saturated across every media outlet. I wanted to give us all a shared experience and tradition. I also see the end of the year as a time of celebration and reflection.” “The tree lightings come after a year of other great House of J initiatives that involve our community gardening through our Queen Green Farm and SPROUT program, healthy family eating through the Wellness Kitchen program, and self-care and wellness through our tea and spa offerings that they hope to expand in 2022,” stated Liles.

Liles is the owner of the House of J: Health and Tea Lifestyle Company and is also a certified health coach.

Near the end of the tree lightings, House of J is hosting a Very Merry Christmas Tea from December 18-19 at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5 p.m. at Liles’ flagship tea house and spa location at 1186 Highway 9 West, Bennettsville. Liles said it is a time for wellness where they hope to see family and friends take tea with them and community mentors bring a special young person and give them the beautiful gift of taking tea. “I have been offering tea tastings and supporting tea events throughout the year with various community organizations, so I am very excited to bring everyone together for a special holiday tea filled with beauty and holiday magic,” she said.

For more information about the House of J or to purchase adult/child tickets for Christmas tea, visit www.thehouseofj.net.