While many of the residents on Marco were loosening their belts after enjoying their Thanksgiving feasts, favorite pies, and assorted deserts on Thursday, the hard-working volunteers that make up the Christmas Island Style (CIS) gathered together in Veterans Community Park on Friday.
They had a full day of work ahead of themselves as they started to decorate the light poles in the park with holiday garland and festive bows that would surround the location of the community Christmas Tree, which will be put up on December 3rd. The volunteers raised the money for both the tree and these new decorations to help bring the spirit of Christmas to the island. A second tree is erected at the intersection of Barfield and Collier Boulevard in Founders Park as well as a large Christmas wreath at the South end of the Judge Jolley Bridge.
Assisting the volunteers each year are staff from Condee Cooling and Electric, who were joined by personnel from Lee County Electric, who each year help to raise the two trees into place. “Without the assistance of Condee and LCEC it would be a difficult task, and we are so grateful for their assistance,” said Wanda Burson, who chairs the 30-person volunteer committee.
Later on Friday, those same volunteers assembled at the Marco Island Academy to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the school as the Marco Island Fire/Rescue and Police Department escorted the two celebrities for their official arrival to the island for the 2024 Holiday Season.
The Academy has hosted the visit by Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the last three years as students and staff assisted in the event to provide a festive welcome to the school and the families who waited anxiously for their arrival. John Cavanagh, who is a volunteer for the CIS Committee and serves double duty as their photographer, looks forward to the event each year. “It’s such a great evening seeing the excitement on the kids’ and parents’ faces when they first see Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s a great start to the season,” said Cavanah.
Dates and times of all of the festive events sponsored by the CIS Committee can be found on their website at www.christmasislandstyle.com.
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