Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – When one thinks of Christmas, one of the first images to come to mind is Santa with a sack full of toys. To help the old man out in the toy department, local volunteers will be collecting toys during the 18th annual Holiday Light Parade on Dec. 1, at 7 p.m., with a tree-lighting ceremony to follow at the University of Maine at Presque Isle immediately after the event. The Aroostook Medical Center and Presque Isle Kiwanis Club are joining forces again this year, holding a toy drive during the parade, with all toys collected being distributed to local children through the Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas Basket Program.
Catholic Charities of Maine will provide the only food collection float. Non-perishable food items will be accepted from community members along the parade route.
To bring joy to a child this Christmas, bring a new, unwrapped toy to the parade and the Grinch’s Who Helpers from TAMC and the Kiwanis Club will pick it up as the Grinch’s Toy Drive Float passes by. Continuing the spirit of Christmas, President Don Zillman is inviting community members to join him at UMPI after the parade to take part in the annual campus tree-lighting festivities. The public is invited to the President’s House for cookies and hot chocolate, as Zillman turns on the dozens of lights adorning the tree.
With the parade ending at UMPI once again this year, parade participants and viewers alike are encouraged to share the fun – and the warmth of the President’s House – and enjoy the holiday spirit.
