Juniper Lane to light up the holidays

South Elgin's Juniper Lane residents are already busy preparing their holiday lighting displays as they celebrate their first decade of bringing smiles to visitors.

Juniper Lane has won the village Christmas lighting contest for the last nine years, ever since the village began judging. This year, as in years past, the residents are sponsoring their 10th annual food drive.

Looking to expand on the charitable donations given by visitors to the block during the Christmas season, the residents have added the South Elgin Lions Club to the list of recipients. Upon learning that the Lions were planning on packaging and distributing food baskets and toys to local families, Juniper Lane residents decided to help.

Food and new toys that are received between Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, and Dec. 14 will be delivered to the Lions Club for distribution to local families. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the lights and to bring canned goods, toys or monetary donations. Marked food donation containers will be placed curbside throughout the season.

All donated food and a portion of cash donations received after Dec. 14 will be delivered to the South Elgin food pantry.

Since the food drive began, thousands of pounds of food have been donated and delivered to the pantry. Since 2005, the block has also been accepting cash donations for Cal's All Star Angel Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to provide college-related financial assistance to a senior baseball player from South Elgin High School and St. Charles North High School each year, and continues to provide small miracles/wishes for pediatric cancer patients, financially assisting the families and providing funding for pediatric cancer research.

Visitors can also expect to see Santa Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m., as well as other nights. The lights will be on beginning Thanksgiving night.