Sparkle 2026 Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 4, 2026

Lilley Cares Partners with The Salvation Army to Reimagine Sparkle Season, Setting $10,000 Fundraising Goal.

Major Penny Mungai and The Salvation Army team will be on-site throughout the season, sharing how the community can help families in need across the Tri-Cities area.

FRUITPORT, MI — Lilley Cares, the Michigan nonprofit behind the Sparkle holiday season in Spring Lake, today announced a new partnership with The Salvation Army for the 2026 Sparkle season. Building on a relationship that began during last year's Sparkle season, Major Penny Mungai and The Salvation Army Grand Haven team will come alongside Lilley Cares throughout the entire season, with a presence at every Sparkle fundraiser and event. 

At each event, The Salvation Army team will be on-site to help share their mission with the community, from the everyday needs facing local families to how the season's fundraising will directly support them. As part of the partnership, Lilley Cares is setting a fundraising goal of $10,000 to benefit The Salvation Army, supporting families throughout our area - Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, and Grand Haven. 

This year's Sparkle season is reimagined around the Epicurean Village courtyard and The Temple Lounge, offering a more intimate, community-centered gathering space for the season's events. The Salvation Army will join Lilley Cares throughout the season's fundraisers, as well as three community favorites: the Sparkle Kick-off, the Gingerbread House Making Class, and the return of Pancakes with Santa at the Spring Lake Community Center.

The season's centerpiece event, the Sparkle Kick-off, will be held Saturday, November 28th at the Epicurean Village Courtyard — an evening full of lights, fun, singing, and Santa!

Members of the community are invited to follow along and get involved throughout the season. Watch our Facebook page for real time fundraiser and event updates: facebook.com/springlakesparkle 

To learn more about The Salvation Army's work in the Tri-Cities area, visit salvationarmyusa.org/mi/grand-haven.