News

Inaugural Sandhills Garden of Lights Seeking Volunteers

Oct 15, 2026
Giant red-and-white illuminated mushroom surrounded by colorful glowing flowers at the Sandhills Garden of Lights.

Image caption | Sandhills Community College is seeking community volunteer groups to help bring the inaugural Sandhills Garden of Lights to life Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 9, 2027. Participating organizations can earn contributions of $1,000 or $2,500 while supporting the holiday event at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.

This holiday season, Sandhills Community College will launch an exciting new community tradition: Sandhills Garden of Lights, a spectacular holiday experience featuring more than 1 million lights, immersive displays and festive attractions in the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens. The event will run from Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 9, 2027.

To help make the event a success, the organizers are seeking volunteer groups from across the community to assist with welcoming guests, wayfinding/parking, ticket admissions support, activity areas, hospitality and other event operations.

“This is a great event to get involved with the community and provide your group the opportunity to build a new holiday tradition for the Sandhills region, showcase the beauty of our region and the SCC campus, raise funds for participating groups, and create unforgettable experiences for thousands of visitors,” said Germaine Elkins, vice president of engagement at Sandhills Community College and executive director of the SCC Foundation, as well as event organizer.

Volunteer & Earn for Your Group

Volunteer participation can directly benefit a community organization.

Group Incentives:

  • 20 or more volunteers for an assigned event night = $1,000 contribution to your group

  • 40 or more volunteers for an assigned event night = $2,500 contribution to your group

Participation is welcomed from:

  • SCC alumni groups

  • SCC Foundation-affiliated groups

  • Athletics

  • Community organizations connected to Sandhills employees

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Civic clubs

  • Faith-based groups

  • Service organizations

  • Youth organizations

  • Community volunteer groups

Employees nominating organizations are expected to assist in organizing and contacting the organization they nominate. Organizations will be onboarded as vendors with SCC to receive payments.

If interested, please submit the name of your group or organization and a contact person to Marcia Woodfield at woodfieldm@sandhills.edu by Friday, Nov. 6.

Include:

  • Organization name

  • Primary contact

  • Estimated number of volunteers available

  • Affiliation with the college (if applicable)

All volunteers must sign a waiver and have a background check and sex offender registry search in advance of volunteering. Minors (ages 16 and older) volunteering on campus must be onboarded by a parent or guardian and have a parent or guardian volunteering with them on their night.

More information about the event can be found at www.SandhillsGardenOfLights.com.