COAL GROVE – The chance to help others prompted village residents’ holiday celebration this weekend.

Saturday, December 16, 2000

COAL GROVE – The chance to help others prompted village residents’ holiday celebration this weekend.

Angel Trees placed in the community will help about 140 children this Christmas. To celebrate, the village held a Community Christmas Party at Dawson-Bryant High School Saturday, said Beverly Gillen, one of the organizers.

"This was a thank you to the village because they helped with all those children," she said.

Mrs. Gillen said that there was a need for the Christmas celebration – one that the community recognized.

"We’ve all had a hard time this year," she said. "There have been job losses, business closings, a lot of low morale out in the community. This was suggested by the community as something we needed."

While the party’s organizers were putting it together, they received help in a number of unexpected ways.

When they called the Coal Grove Lions Club to ask if they would donate pancake mix, the Lions Club said they would donate they entire breakfast, and cook it as well.

When they called the Coal Grove Betterment club to ask if they would donate candy, the club said it would donate treats and candy for every child attending the party.

"The community has really banded together and rallied around the idea," Mrs. Gillen said.

In addition to food and treats, children were able to visit with Santa and have balloon rainbows, swans, flowers, teddy bear or other strange creatures made by Garry Boothe, a performing artist from West Virginia.

While children jostled in line for one of the balloons, their parents listened to music provided by several local groups. Boy Scout Troop 103 from Deering also helped.

with setting up, moving and cleaning up.