PRESS RELEASE

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist Tuesday, in celebration of the holiday season, will host the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion. The annual event is a tradition the Governor began during his first holiday season in office.

“The Christmas season is a joyous opportunity to spend time with family and friends in honor of our many blessings,” said Governor Crist. “Throughout the holidays, I encourage my fellow Floridians to celebrate with thanksgiving and generous hearts, especially for those who are less fortunate.”

Throughout the holiday season, visitors to the Mansion are encouraged to donate children’s books for foster agencies throughout the state. The annual book drive is part of the Governor’s ongoing focus on Florida’s foster children. Since the Governor took office, more than 10,000 children have found loving, permanent homes through the Explore Adoption initiative. Launched by Governor Crist, Explore Adoption has helped Florida achieve a record-setting number of adoptions of children from state care. This month, it was also announced that “Explore Adoption,” a 30-minute special Explore Adoption television program, received a 2009 Suncoast Emmy award.

The Christmas tree is decorated with low-energy outdoor light-emitting diode (LED) lights to reduce energy costs, one of the Governor’s priorities. After the holidays, the tree will be recycled through the City of Tallahassee’s recycling program to create wood chips for landscaping mulch that will be available at no cost to area residents. All decorations have been donated to the Florida Governor’s Mansion Foundation at no cost to the State of Florida.

Governor Crist will host a menorah lighting ceremony later this week at the Governor’s Mansion in celebration of Hanukkah.

Governor Crist also announced the availability of the 2009 holiday ornament. The seventh in the series, the 2009 “USS Florida Silver Punch Cup” ornament is a replica of a punch cup in the 47-piece silver set created for the USS Florida, commissioned in September 1911. The punch cups have distinctive alligator-shaped handles and accompany a 12-gallon punch bowl. Since the battleship was decommissioned in 1931, the set has remained on continuous display and in use in the State Dining Room at the Governor’s Mansion.

Ornaments are available online at www.floridashistoryshop.com or in any of the Capitol gift shops, Museum of Florida History Gift Shop and My Favorite Things in Tallahassee. All proceeds benefit the non-profit Florida Governor’s Mansion Foundation.

To learn more about the Governor’s Explore Adoption initiative that focuses on adopting teens, siblings groups and children with special needs from state foster care, please visit www.AdoptFlorida.org or call 1-800-96-ADOPT.