Lighting for Community Outreach Center Wins Award
Unique Lighting Systems selected the Worth and Purpose Community Outreach Center in Lakeland, Florida, as its 2026 Project of the Year.
California-based outdoor lighting supplier Unique Lighting Systems chose the Worth and Purpose Community Outreach Center project in Lakeland, Fla., as its 2026 Project of the Year. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in low-voltage landscape and architectural lighting.
Light Up Lakeland, an outdoor lighting design and installation company owned by Brian Seeley, handled the design and installation of the lighting for the community center pro bono while Unique Lighting Systems donated all the lighting products. Seeley’s initial act of giving sparked other generosity, prompting other local partners and businesses to contribute products and services at no charge.
“The project had every element of a winner, using thoughtful and impactful lighting placement to create a safe and upbeat vibe for those who use the space,” said Dan Winterton, Senior Marketing Manager at Unique Lighting Systems. “Along with the project’s achievements and the way it came together – through the radical generosity of community members – made it a clear winner.”
The Worth and Purpose Community Outreach Center offers unhoused neighbors critical support through free housing, food, haircuts, and a safe and welcoming place for people to show up just as they are. Seeley wanted to support that vision by reimagining the space.
The community center’s new lighting accentuates the centerpiece mural on the patio and on the front of the building, along with illumination throughout the putting green. The project was completed over two months last summer and took approximately one week to install.
Color-changing FLEX GOLD® Vivid Series lamps by Unique Lighting Systems were used to highlight the murals, adding a sense of vibrancy and fun while drawing attention to the artwork. Additional Odyssey Series Probe uplighting further enhances the space by creating a dynamic and welcoming environment after dark.
In the patio area, custom white Odyssey Series Probe lighting fixtures were selected to blend seamlessly with the soffit ceiling, allowing the lighting to feel like a natural extension of the structure rather than a standalone addition.
Jhy Musselman, a district sales manager at Unique Lighting Systems, has served as mentor for Seeley and Light Up Lakeland by teaching design and imparting lighting knowledge.
“Over the years, Seeley has soaked up as much information as he can, creating a great outdoor lighting business,” Musselman said. “His dedication to providing quality work along with his giving spirit – often giving back and working pro bono for local organizations – shows his passion for making the world a brighter place literally and figuratively.”
The Worth and Purpose Community Outreach Center project stands as a testament to the power of generosity. What began as a donated lighting installation by Light Up Lakeland quickly inspired others to contribute.
“It was a community effort,” Seeley said. “Unique Lighting Systems is one of many companies that made this project happen.”
Unique Lighting Systems offers top-tier outdoor lighting products to contractors, designers, and distributors for creating high-quality landscape lighting. It is part of the Toro Company’s collection of outdoor environment brands for residential and commercial applications.
