BonnerSprings.com

Under the floodlights of the Wyandotte County Emergency Operations Command Unit, a crowd formed in the Edwardsville City Hall parking lot last week, waiting for the official kickoff of the holiday season.

Mayor William “Heinz” Rodgers told the crowd, “This is my favorite time of year,” before a group countdown commenced. Edwardsville Elementary student Shaunie Lanning threw the switch, and the tree that stands between City Hall and the fire station was lit bright with Christmas lights.

“It was really great,” said City Clerk Phyllis Freeman. “It was a great turnout. There was a lot of excitement in the air and that’s what Christmas is all about.”

Following the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, the Eagles Choir from Edwardsville Elementary stood on bleachers with the tree as their backdrop and sang classic songs such as Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Members of the crowd joined in on the signing and brought to life the community spirit of the evening.

With a special surprise visit from Santa Claus, which Freeman said all the children present “went crazy for,” the event was full of holiday activities. The Fire Department also played host to an open house of its station and residents got a tour and closer look at the Emergency Operations Command Unit.

Most importantly, however, was the collection of nonperishable food items for the Vaughn-Trent annual Christmas baskets for local families in need, Freeman said. Even though the city will continue to collect donated items at City Hall until Friday, Dec. 5, Freeman said this was the city’s biggest collection to date.

Freeman said she thinks that the city is fortunate to have such caring community members and heard about several residents who went door-to-door collecting items to donated.

“We’re really happy with the community and for their interest and concern,” Freemand said. “It tool a lot of work and this has really become out biggest so far. It’s really great and I think it says a lot about our community.”

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