Team Aubuchon will host “Helping Hands for the Holidays,” its annual holiday fund raiser today at Club Square.

Not only does the event showcase an old-fashioned Christmas celebration, but it also raises funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The Ronald McDonald House and Builders Care.

The holiday celebration includes the official lighting of Cape Coral’s own Rockefeller-style tree at 6:30 p.m., performances by local youth singers and refreshments donated by 10 local restaurants. Bubba’s Roadhouse alone is donating 80 pounds of chicken for the celebration.

“Throughout the past couple of months I have asked restaurants to donate food and beverages,” said Diane Van Arsdale, director of marketing for Team Aubuchon. “The whole idea is to have an old-fashioned Christmas get-together.”

Young children will be able to visit Santa Claus while students from the Evangelical Christian School will sing Christmas carols. The youth performing arts group, “The Nabbies,” also will perform.

There is no admission for the event and it will be attended by members of Team Aubuchon, as well as customers and local subcontractors. The Cape Coral community is also invited to attend.

“It is a lot of people who know Gary, and all of us, and have been around since Aubuchon homes started,” said Van Arsdale. They want to show their support. If you know Gary he is big about giving back to the community.“

Each year the benefit hosts between 100 and 150 people, she said. Approximately $4,000 worth of donations have already been received and organizers will continue accepting donations.

Tax deductible donations can be made payable to the Cape Coral Community Foundation and mailed to Helping Hands, Team Aubuchon, 4707 S.E. 9th Place.

“It is a touching evening,” said Van Arsdale.