Carol Stream welcomes season, Santa and sharing program

Students have been practicing songs for weeks.

Workers are hustling to hang final decorations.

And on Friday, Nov. 28, all of their efforts will pay off when hundreds of Carol Stream residents head to the Ross Ferraro Town Center to join in the village's annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The event will feature carols performed by the Jay Stream Middle School Choir, holiday treats and drinks, and visits and photos with Santa, who will arrive on a fire truck. The Carol Stream Youth council also will host children's holiday crafts and games.

More than 200 families traditionally attend the annual event, which has been happening for more than 20 years, officials said.

Christopher Oakley, assistant village manager, said the tree lighting focuses on the spirit of Christmas and the holiday season rather than the shopping typically associated with them, since Carol Stream doesn't have a downtown district.

"This is about the people and the community more than the shopping or the businesses," Oakley said.

Visitors to the tree lighting can share their holiday goodwill, too, by donating nonperishable foods, grocery gift cards or new children's toys to the 2008 Christmas Sharing Program. The program is organized by the Carol Stream Police Department's Social Services Unit and has been helping village families in need for about 30 years. Mindi Thomas, the program's liaison, said the programs helps approximately 250 families per year, which includes 500 children.

"We get very generous contributions from the community each year," she said.

Even after the tree lighting, local residents can continue donating goods through Dec. 9 at Carol Stream Village Hall, 500 N. Gary Ave.; the Carol Stream Public Library, 616 N. Hiawatha Drive; the Carol Stream Park District, 391 Illini Drive; and at schools throughout the village.

For details on the program, call (630) 871-6280.