The Light of Hope – Grand Terrace Christmas Tree Lighting

The Light of Hope – Grand Terrace Christmas Tree Lighting On Thursday, Dec. 3, residents gathered for the first ever “Light Up Grand Terrace” event. The community gathered in celebration of the lighting of a Christmas tree located at the corner of Barton Road and Palm Avenue. Although the event had been scheduled for weeks, this particular night turned into much more than a city-sponsored holiday event. In light of the previous day’s horrific events at the San Bernardino Inland Regional Center building, many residents shared that they attended as a way to come together as a community and inspire hope throughout the community. Hope for our future—a future full of compassion, joy, and most of all, unity. Residents who had been glued to their televisions, computers, smartphones, and radios for the latest news since Wednesday afternoon arrived at the Azure Hills Church parking lot with heavy hearts and gratitude. A prayer and moment of silence in honor of the victims allowed each person to reflect on the recent events. A sense of gratitude for the opportunity to come together was the overall mood at the event. A perfect example of coming together and community involvement was evident on Thursday night. Local businesses and youth organizations set up booths to welcome and entertain. On the crisp night, free hot chocolate, supplied by Chillz Frozen Yogurt, was a big hit for all ages. Coffee from Grand Terrace Boy Scout Troop 40 also became a welcomed beverage for residents arriving to the event after a long day. In addition, the Grand Terrace High School (GTHS) Leo Club passed out free water and popcorn at their booth. Other booths offered cookies along with their organization’s literature. GTHS, Dance Dimensions, and The REC Center provided entertainment for the evening. Dance Dimensions brought groups of young dancers that performed a variety of dance routines. The GTHS Band stretched out through the length of the booths, playing holiday classics for the crowd, while the cheerleaders performed behind them. Shortly after, the GTHS Choir could be heard from the portable stage. Members of the high school football team were also present to show their spirit and pass out candy canes. The evening concluded with the lighting of the tree by Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe. As she addressed the crowd, she praised this event as one where people “came together as a community.” She expressed how it involved “joy and happiness,” as well as showing a “love of community and fellow residents.” Then with the wave of her “magic wand” the tree was lit and the light of hope was displayed for all to see on Barton Road during this holiday season. After the event, Mayor McNaboe stated that she was happy with the great turnout and how community involvement played a large part with this event. This year a committee, chaired by residents Yvette Kecskes and Frank’e Byma, was created to oversee surplus monies allocated for holiday decorating—something that had not been done in five years. Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe said funding of the holiday decorations and tree lighting was one of the items approved for funding, proposed during the Oct. 27 city council meeting. The council received proposals for budget appropriations for use of the approximate $400,000 of unanticipated revenue realized at the closing of the 2014/2015 fiscal year. The goal is to make the city more attractive for local and regional holiday shoppers and welcome them into the community to shop and celebrate. Kecskes shared she was “happy that the city was able to provide an event that brought our community together, especially during a time when we needed a little extra holiday cheer.” With the continued help of community volunteers, the mayor would like to see this become an annual event, especially considering that it is not included in the city budget. When asked about having this event the day after the San Bernardino tragedies, Mayor McNaboe felt that it was a way for the community to “carry on and come together.” She expressed that by having the Moment of Silence; victims were honored, allowing residents to reflect. The Mayor also stated that the uniting as a community means that we “don’t let them win.” The word “them” may vary among people, but the overall message seems to be that tragedy will happen; however, WE, as people, family, community, and nation, must move on with our daily lives and activities. Fear is inevitable, but it is not unstoppable.