Read more: Local, State, Community, Portales, Lighting of the Tree, Mayor's Christams Toy Drive, Toy Drive
PORTALES, NEW MEXICO -- The city of Portales will hold its "Lighting of the Tree" ceremony, Monday, November 16th, at 6:30 at the Portales City Hall located a 100 West 1st Street.
The lighting will also mark the beginning of the Mayor's Christmas Toy Drive: Operation Santa Cop program.
The toy drive is structured to provide for the children in the community who might not have a Christmas.
Here's how it works.
The tree is full of ornaments, each one has a child's name on it. The child's name can be chosen during the lighting ceremony. After choosing the name you are asked to bring your gifts back to City Hall by Monday, December 4th.
The gifts for the child and siblings will be collected and delivered to the children's home during the month of December prior to Christmas Day.
The Toy Drive which is part of this year's program will accept new, unwrapped toys for children up to 18 years-old.
The program will also be collecting canned food for a Food Drive that will help provide food for families in need during the holiday season.
This year when you bring in a new toy or take a name off the tree, you will be eligible to be entered in a drawing for milk and cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The drawing will take place on December 1 during the Portales City Council meeting at seven.
Other activities during the tree lighting include, free face painting, free ornament making, live music from the Portales High and Junior High Choirs. Santa Claus will also be attending the ceremony to hand out goodies to the kids.
Toy Drive Drop Box Locations:
Portales City Hall, 100 West First Street
Portales Police Department, 1700 North Boston
Senior Citizens Center, 421 North Industrial Dr.
Hestand's Floral, 813 West 2nd Street
Portales Roosevelt County Chamber, 100 South Avenue A
For questions about the program of the "Lighting of the Tree," please contact Community Affairs Coordinator Nicole Wilkening at 575-356-6662 ext 24.
