The holiday party will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at Garvey’s Family Restaurant on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road.
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE Gifts of warm gloves, mittens and socks will be a worthwhile part and part of the fun of the Monroe Township Mothers Club community tree lighting celebration.
The holiday party will be held Saturday at 6 p.m. at Garvey’s Family Restaurant on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road.
Marguerite Dafoe of the Mothers Club said it’s appropriate for the spirit of giving and the pleasure of giving, "marks of our community," she said, to be included in the event’s activities.
She said the articles of clothing will be donated to Monroe families who are experiencing a time of need.
The celebration, which is open to all free of charge, will emphasize the joy of celebrating the holiday season.
Ms. Dafoe said, in addition to the giving, the event will have caroling, entertainment, refreshments and the high point for many of the younger participants and perhaps for some of the older ones who will enjoy it through the eyes of their children will be the arrival of Santa Claus on a Monroe Township firetruck.
Ms. Dafoe reminded residents that the tree is a community tree and will have places for decorations that members of the community bring to the celebration.
She said an ornament or decoration that will represent a particular community group, a family’s special style of decorating, a family’s ethnic background or an individual adult or child’s own personal creativity will be put on the tree.
Stickers with the names of the contributing families and individuals will be attached to the backs of the decorations.
Ms. Dafoe said the event has the promise of a fun time for families.
"We hope many Monroe families have the date marked on their calendars," she said
Ms. Dafoe said, in the event of rain or snow on Saturday, the community tree-lighting ceremony will be rescheduled for Sunday.