The “Seasons Greetings” sign consumed more than 100 hours of time and required meticulous placement of 300 tiny red lightbulbs. It was no easy task for Eagle Scout Sebastian Salmeron of Antioch Troop 153 to create.

“I learned a lot about patience and determination by having to place 300 bulbs precisely onto 16 letters. If one bulb was off even just a smidge, the entire sign would either look crooked or would not fit properly on the rooftop,” said Sebastian. “In fact, in my first trial run, the practice letters I made were too big to fit on the hospital’s rooftop, so I had to scale them down. But after a year of planning, I was so proud when I saw the ‘Seasons Greetings’ sign light up the hospital’s rooftop.”

The bright and shiny red sign, 43 feet in length, is seen not only by patients and visitors at Sutter Delta Medical Center, but by the tens of thousands of drivers who use the Lone Tree Way corridor every day.

“I felt like it was quite an accomplishment because I knew that so many people would see the sign every day,” said Sebastian. “I know I’ve left my mark on the city I grew up in, so it makes me feel like I made a difference. I would like to thank Sutter Delta for giving me the opportunity to make this sign.”

The sign helped Sebastian earn his Eagle Scout badge, which gave him a terrific feeling – but knowing he has created something that will last for years makes it even more special.

It has been approximately three years since the medical center was forced to take down its original “Seasons Greetings” sign.

“Weather took its toll on the 20-year-old sign, so we had no choice but to take it down,” said Tim Bouslog, Sutter Delta’s materials and facility director. “I’m extremely impressed with Sebastian. This wasn’t an easy project to tackle, and instantly, as soon as we turned on the lights, we received so many compliments from patients, visitors and passers-by, who’ve thanked us and told us how nice it is to see holiday cheer.”

Sebastian’s “Seasons Greetings” sign is set on a timer and lights up daily on the hospital’s rooftop from 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Contributed by Angela Juarez-Lombardi