Ray of Light Foundation

12/06/2024

🎄 Join Us at the Franklin Tree Lighting Tonight! 🎄

The Shine Your Light Singers will kick off the festivities with two performances at 5:45 PM and 7:45 PM on the Shine Your Light Stage, located across from 55 South.

A huge thank you to our incredible music director, Cassie Stone, and the amazing 2024 Shine Your Light Cast for their dedication and hard work. Your talent lights up the season and supports the mission of the Ray of Light Foundation.

We can’t wait to see you there and share the holiday spirit! 🌟

12/03/2024

Shining a Light on Giving Tuesday

The holiday season is here, and our heart is full as we reflect on Raymond’s light and the joy he brought to so many. While the holidays remain our greatest priority, today—Giving Tuesday—offers a special opportunity to honor his legacy and make an impact in our community.

The Ray of Light Foundation supports seven heartfelt initiatives that carry on Raymond’s wishes, from providing comfort to children battling illnesses to uplifting families in need. On this day dedicated to giving, I invite you to join us in ensuring Raymond’s light continues to shine brightly for others.

Your generosity today can help us make the holidays brighter for those we serve. Visit RayofLightTN.com to learn more and to donate. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference.

Thank you for helping us carry Raymond’s love and light forward. Wishing you peace, hope, and joy this holiday season.

11/28/2024

Personally delivered the remaining Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets to our local families in Franklin alongside my husband, honoring our son Raymond M. Cruz and Ray of Light Foundation.

A heartful thank you to all who made this possible through volunteering and supporting our past Holiday Basket Collection.

Special thanks to Tracy Hill Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Palliative Department for helping ensure the baskets reached families in need at the hospital.

My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to share this initiative with our community and for the incredible support we receive in pursuing our mission. Wishing everyone a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Blandina Vergara-Cruz
Ray’s Mom

11/19/2024

🎄✨ Join the Shine Your Light Singers at the Franklin Tree Lighting! ✨🎄

We are so excited to announce that the Shine Your Light Singers will be performing at this year’s Franklin Christmas Tree Lighting along Main Street! This is our 2nd annual invitation to this magical event, and we are honored to represent the Ray of Light Foundation.

The Franklin community has always been close to our hearts. In 2019, Raymond and his Centennial High School classmates performed at this very event after creating a holiday Christmas album as a fundraiser for their choir. This project, spearheaded by Raymond and his close friend Chris McCollum, continues to inspire us as we carry on his legacy through the foundation.

✨ When: Friday, December 6
✨ Where: Franklin Mainstreet across 55 South
✨ Time: Festivities begin at 4:30-8p. We perform right before the tree lighting performances at 5p and then again at 7:30p.

We are so proud of this incredible cast and their dedication to spreading joy and light this holiday season. Please come out to support these talented young singers and celebrLifestyle By LeBlancus!

📸 Check out the amazing Shine Your Light Singers cast in the photos by Lifestyle By LeBlanc below!

Learn more about the event here: Franklin Tree Lighting Details in

https://www.franklintn.gov/our-city/christmas-tree-lighting-on-the-square

Let’s make this a night to remember

11/18/2024

We’re thrilled to announce that our goal of collecting 20 baskets for the Holiday Basket Collection was achieved! We have 10 baskets being delivered to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital and the other 10 to families in our local area. Thank you to everyone who donated and volunteered. We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to supporting the Ray of Light Foundation.

A special thank-you to our donors and volunteers: Wizard of Oz Cast and Families, Cassie & Kaleb Stone, Janice Rice, April Presley, Latoya Murdock, Tracy Hill, Yamilet Delgado, Victoria Farnsworth, De Ledesma Family, Masternick Family, Barnes Family, Daniel Family, Petricek Family, Lefkovitz Family, Harris Family, Phelps Family, Kirby Family and Braddock Family.

Your generosity and hard work made this possible!

For more information on Ray of Light Foundation follow our website.

Happy Holidays!

11/13/2024

🌟 Join us this Sunday for our 2nd Annual Holiday Basket Drive! 🌟

Help us spread the holiday spirit by assembling Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. These baskets will go to local families in Franklin, children and their families at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and others recommended by our own community members.

🗓 Date: Sunday, November 17
🕒 Time: 1 PM - 4 PM
📍 Location: The Franklin Playhouse
🎁 Items Needed: Stuffing, canned veggies, potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, mac & cheese, apple pie, baskets, and $25 grocery cards for turkey or ham purchases.

Sign up to volunteer or donate items using the link below! Every little bit helps make the holiday season brighter for those in need. ❤️

👉 Sign up here!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4DABAA2EA2FB6-53168679-rayoflight #/

Let’s come together to make a difference in our community! 💫

09/02/2024

** “Raise Them Up” Snack Collection for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital **

I’m thrilled to share that our “Raise Them Up” Snack Collection for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital is off to a great start! Recently, I was informed that snack supplies are running critically low, which prompted us to kick off our fall collection even earlier than planned.

This cause is particularly close to my heart. Ray believed deeply in the power of small gestures to create a huge impact, especially for the families on the oncology floor. By providing snacks, we offer comfort and care during a challenging time for these families.

Participating is simple: just click on our Amazon list, choose a few snacks, and they’ll be delivered directly to us. We will then ensure they are brought to the hospital.

Your help would mean so much. Please consider contributing to this meaningful effort. Also, if you could, please like and share this post and follow our social media platforms to help spread the word.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,
Blandina Vergara-Cruz

04/28/2024

The 2024 Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition was a heartfelt success! Last night, we gathered to honor the legacy of my son Raymond M. Cruz, who started this wonderful initiative to benefit the palliative care department at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. It was a night filled with incredible talent, inspiring stories, and boundless positivity.

The real magic of the evening wasn't just in the remarkable performances, but in the spirit of unity and support for a cause close to our hearts. Hearing the young participants speak passionately about the cause and the friendships they forged was truly touching. Their enthusiasm reminded us all of the importance of coming together to make a difference.

In a world filled with uncertainty, moments like these serve as powerful reminders to live life to the fullest and surround ourselves with positivity. My son's legacy lives on through this competition and other initiatives,, and I feel his presence more strongly with each passing event.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and continues to support this meaningful cause, your presence and generosity make all the difference in our efforts to support families at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Let's keep shining our light and making a difference, just like my son would have wanted. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️

Shout out to Collaborative Studio for your donation and to the Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park for co-hosting. We’re so thankful for your support.

04/27/2024

"Big shout out to Collaborative Studio. Tomorrow marks a significant day for the Ray of Light Foundation with our “Shine Light Youth Vocal Competition” fundraiser. Your generous support makes events like these possible, impacting countless young talents and helping “Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital Palliative Care Department” means so much to so many families going through a terminal disease. Thank you for illuminating the path for our youth!"

04/26/2024

Tomorrow is the big fundraiser come out and join the Ray of Light Foundation tomorrow night for the 2024 Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition!

The Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition is one of the main annual fundraisers for the Ray of Light Foundation. Youth all around Middle Tennessee audition to compete in this event, with all proceeds going to the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to help the Raymond M. Cruz Palliative Care for Bereaved Caregivers and their Families.

Learn more and buy tickets:

The Ray of Light Foundation presents Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition on Apr 27, 19:00@Williamson County Performing Arts Center - Buy tickets and Get information on wcpactn com wcpac

04/15/2024

We're thrilled to announce the finalist of the 2024 Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition!

Firstly, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported Raymond's foundation and made this competition possible. Your dedication means the world to us.

Congratulations to all the finalist and those who submitted an audition. Your talent and hard work have truly impressed us.

As we approach the grand finalist on April 27! Don't forget to purchase your tickets-proceeds support the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Palliative Care Bereavement Program.





Without further ado, let's shine a spotlight on our incredible finalists.

Click the link

The Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition is an annual fundraiser for the Ray of Light Foundation.

03/27/2024

🎤 Calling all supporters! 🎤

We’re thrilled to announce our main fundraiser of the year: Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition! This event isn’t just about showcasing talent; it’s about making a difference. A portion of the proceeds go directly to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Palliative Caregiver Grief Support Group. Started by Raymond M. Cruz

Join us in raising vital funds for this cause. Every donation counts, and together, we can provide much-needed support and comfort to those in need. Let’s make this event a resounding success and bring hope to families during their darkest hours.

The Ray of Light Foundation presents Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition on Apr 27, 19:00@Williamson County Performing Arts Center - Buy tickets and Get information on wcpactn com wcpac

03/26/2024

Great Job to our Shine Your light Singers for a great performance representing Ray of Light Foundation

03/03/2024

5th Annual “Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition” Audition Sign Ups are now available. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Palliative Department at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. To help with the Pediatric Palliative Caregiver Support Group.

Sign up today!

https://www.rayoflighttn.com/shine-your-light

02/27/2024

5th Annual "Shine Your Light Youth Vocal Competition" Audition Sign Ups are now available. This is a fundraiser to benefit the Palliative Department at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. To help with the Pediatric Palliative Caregiver Support Group.

Sign up today!

https://www.rayoflighttn.com/shine-your-light

02/10/2024

SAVE. THE. DATE.
March 23rd 10am-2pm, our very own 2024 Shine Your Light Singers will be performing at the Kids Arts Festival of Tennessee!!! And YOU are invited! You will also get the chance to explore arts stops, food trucks facepainting, caraticature artist and more entertainment from other performance groups. Save the date and come join us in all the fun! See you there!

For more information about Shine Your Light Singers visit
https://www.rayoflighttn.com/shineyourlightsingers

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02/05/2024

Teaser alert. Debuting the 2024 “Shine Your Light Singers” photoshoot with the incredible Lifestyle By LeBlanc. More photos to come. Come see them perform at the Kids Arts Festival on March 23. You don’t want to miss it.

https://www.franklintn.gov/government/departments-k-z/parks/city-parks-events/kids-arts-festival

12/31/2023