MATTAPOISETT — On a cold night in late fall, more than 100 people gathered on the beach at the Mattapoisett YMCA for a buoy Christmas tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 12.

The event is a fundraiser for the Mattapoisett YMCA’s annual campaign, at which a tree of painted buoy ornaments is lit, among other activities.

Executive director Stephanie Winterson said the event was “really nice.”

“It was truly a magical evening,” she said.

Buoys were sold in advance and then decorated for the tree. Of the 81 total sold, 32 buoys were donated directly back to the YMCA, for kids in the association’s programs to decorate.

The buoy ornaments “came out amazing,” Winterson said.

Designs included wintry imagery, sea creatures, flowers and other paintings.

“We got some good ones that came through,” Winterson said.

The gathering had activities on the Mattapoisett YMCA’s porch, but it was on the beach where the tree was lit, songs were sung and Santa Claus visited.

“It’s a little holiday spirit,” Winterson said.

S’mores were also had on the beach, at a station ran by Rochester Troop 31 Eagle Scouts.

It was the third annual tree lighting. The fundraiser acts as a way for YMCA families to give back while doing something fun at home, in painting the buoy ornaments, according to Winterson.

“We were trying to think of a fun way to get our families involved,” she said.

The more than 100 attendees included campers and alumni of Camp Massasoit, a summer camp at the Mattapoisett YMCA. There were also local community members and YMCA members from surrounding communities, according to Winterson.

Camp Massasoit has “generations of campers,” which speaks to the legacy the camp has, Winterson said.

The YMCA gives out more than $40,000 in camp scholarships per year, according to Winterson.

“It’s just exciting for those who care about the Y, and it’s a way to give back,” she said.