The Kiwanis Club of Glendale kicked off the holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting at the Glendale Veterans Triangle on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Despite the rain at this year’s tree lighting event, members of the Glendale Kiwanis Club made sure parents and children were still able to enjoy the night’s festivities on the corner of Myrtle and Cooper avenues.
Glendale Kiwanis brought nearly 30 local organizations together to provide residents with a night of music, lights and a special visit from Santa.
Similar to last year’s celebration, the Salvation Army handed out hot chocolate and cookies to attendees, while the Glendale Kiwanis focused on handing out stuffed animals to children.
Thanks to the efforts of Zum Stammtisch, pop-up canopy tents once used during the pandemic were set-up, adorned in bright Christmas lighting, to keep eventgoers away from the rain.
Werner Lehner, the co-owner of Zum Stammtisch, organized the Christmas tree lighting for over 20 years before it was taken over by Glendale Kiwanis. In all of his years organizing the holiday event, Lehner said one key factor remained — the holiday spirit is kept alive through the help of others.
“Now that I have, so many more people and so much more help and so many more resources. It’s great,” Lehner said.
The group was also visited by local legislators including Council Members Robert Holden and Joann Ariola, who will begin representing Glendale in January. Representatives from the offices of Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. were also in attendance.
Glendale Kiwanis President Ingrid Huber shared her thanks to those who helped out during the tree lighting and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.
