Over 125 children in Burney had a chance to meet Santa at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Christmas Tree Lane Saturday evening November 26.
This little girl wants a Captain America
The event was sponsored by the Burney Chamber of Commerce. The Lions Club provided the lights. Soroptomist volunteers Ellen Gasper, Evalee Nelson, Verla Cantu, Deanne Ospital, and Virginia Hoffman served hot cider and hot chocolate.
Soroptomists served cider and hot chocolate
The Lions Club Auxiliary provided delicious cookies.
Bobbie Lindgren, Sherry Tanner, Elna Greenwood, and Donna Witherspoon volunteered at the Lions Auxiliary cookie table
The Rotary Club of Burney-Fall River had a booth with popcorn and cotton candy.
Christmas bunny Willie Rodriguez making cotton candy for the kids
The program began at 5 p.m. with an opening ceremony by the veterans. Sorry I got there a little bit late but I did get a picture of two of them on my way in.
Two of the honor guard with the newly lit trees in the background
As a background for the ceremony two of the neighbors had diligently decortated their houses with lights.
Santino Yabra spent 4 days preparing his house to serve as a backdrop for the tree lighting ceremony
Biker Bill, president of the Rotary, acted as emcee. A young lady sang a carol and then the Winkelman’s sang Silent Night and Here Comes Santa Claus.
The Winkelman’s singing Here Comes Santa Claus as Emcee Bill Campbell looks on
After singing Here Comes Santa Claus, parents and children lined up so the children could chat with Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas.
Each child received a gift bag from Jill Barnet. The sponsors had prepared 100 gift bags. This year had the largest turnout of tots to date. After the 100 bags were gone, there was still a line of 25 or more children. Jill said next year they will prepare 150 bags.
Jill Barnett presented the children with gift bags
Each bag had a plastic egg inside. Some of the eggs had a note inside to win an additional prize. The lucky winners collected their prizes from Craig Harrington at the Rotary booth.
Happy bear winners
One girl presented Santa with a letter she had written. Young Jakob Melton presented Santa with a miniature Santa figure that he had made.
Jakob presents Santa with a little Santa that he made
Jakob’s brother, Jerrik, told Santa that all he wanted for Christmas was “for his family to be happy.”
The Meltons enjoyed meeting Santa very much
Why do I have hope for the future? Because God lives in the hearts of our children and if we raise them with love and teach them well, they will fill the world with wonderful new beginnings.
Merry Christmas to the people of Burney! May you all celebrate in peace and love!
Pit River Country 