College Seeks 'Christmas in July' Support From Local Businesses

The Moorpark College Foundation is asking local businesses to help spread the word about an inaugural fundraising event that will take place at the school in December.

The promotion for the December fundraiser will take place July 23 and is called Christmas in July. The Foundation will give participating businesses printed information to distribute and asks that the businesses hang white holiday lights along their rooflines or around the frame of a window to call attention to the event. The Foundation is particularly seeking high-visibility locations along major roadways in Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.

There are no sponsorship fees or any costs involved for businesses to participate, other than purchasing or digging out strands of lights.

“All businesses need to do is have a little fun and flip on some holiday lights for a single night, July 23," Pam Eddinger, President of Moorpark College, said in a written statement. "It will help introduce our new Holiday Lights at Moorpark College event, where the community and college will celebrate the holidays together in a spectacular fashion.”

The event in December will be called Holiday Lights at Moorpark College and will be hosted by the school's Associated Students as well as the Foundation. The centerpiece will be illumination of a large campus building with thousands of holiday lights; supported by a festival with vendors, children’s activities, entertainment and special surprises.

The July 23 date is just before the period when the Foundation will begin to get very busy in securing booth vendors for the Holiday Lights festival and selling the actual lights that will illuminate buildings at the college, according to Foundation spokesman Keith Jajko.

The Christmas in July event "may seem early, but in reality it is not," he said.  "We have grand plans for Holiday Lights at Moorpark College and want this very first event to be truly spectacular.  It can become a holiday tradition for years to come."

To participate in the Christmas in July information event, call 805-404-4367. For more information about vendor and sponsorship opportunities for the Holiday Lights at Moorpark College event, call 805-581-2743.