Christmas in Glendale is saved.
The Glendale Kiwanis confirmed that the 50-year holiday tree lighting ceremony will be taking place this December, “money or no money.”
The Ridgewood Times recently reported that the Glendale Kiwanis was looking for donations from local residents and business owners to help fund the holiday festival due to a lack of funds at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, which had funded the celebration in previous years.
The community quickly responded, sending in their donations. One of the event’s biggest expenses, the tree itself, was generously donated to the Glendale Kiwanis for the celebration.
“The tree was donated by a family out in Franklin Square,” said Joe Aiello, president-elect of the Glendale Kiwanis. “It is a big, 30-foot tree. Just because we got the tree doesn’t mean everything else is free. We still need to bring the tree down to Glendale, set it up, decorate the tree, place the lights and star on it and get gifts for the children.”
The Glendale Kiwanis is still in need of more money, totaling “a couple thousand dollars,” Aiello said.
“We have to thank a lot of community organizations and residents for providing donations,” he continued. “When something is in need, the community comes together and stands together. We are putting up a banner to thank everyone who donated. We’re still looking for donations.”
Some of the local businesses that helped donate to the cause include Grace Pizza, Ridgewood Savings Bank and the Starbucks at Atlas Park, which will be donating hot chocolate for refreshments during the tree lighting ceremony.
“It is an icon in Glendale,” Aiello said of the event. “Last year we had around 400 kids at the event, I expect this year we will draw a lot of kids from the community.”
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Glendale Veterans Triangle, located at the corner of Myrtle and Cooper avenues.
For more information, contact the Glendale Kiwanis Club.
