RXR Plaza to forgo official tree-lighting ceremony

The towering Christmas tree, the holiday performances and the skating rink will all be there, but Uniondale's RXR Plaza is forgoing an official tree-lighting ceremony and focusing on charitable events, said the plaza's owner, RXR Realty.

"Instead of expending funds on a show or a formal lighting event, we have decided this year that it is far more important to redirect those energies and funds into additional holiday-related charitable efforts here on Long Island, which are especially important as more and more families in our region will face increasing economic challenges this holiday season," said Robert Leonard, an RXR spokesman.

The tree-lighting ceremony was a very small part of the overall cost associated with RXR's holiday festivities, Leonard said. This year, the company decided to channel its energy into philanthropic holiday causes, including one of its newest partnerships with the U.S. Marines' Toys for Tots Foundation. That campaign will help bring toys to Long Island's underserved neighborhoods, the company said. All of RXR's Long Island properties will be accepting toy donations.

"RXR is continuing the traditions of having a tree at RXR Plaza for the holidays and inviting community entertainment groups to perform at the Plaza throughout December," Leonard said. "The tree will be lit on December 5th and will remain lit through January 7th."

The Norwegian spruce will be lit some time after dusk on Sunday.