Raffle prizes, including a $500 grand prize, food, hot chocolate and a visit by Santa Claus will highlight WSANA’s annual celebration of the winter holidays on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:00 pm in Worcester Square in Boston’s South End. The event will be capped off by the lighting of a 20-foot holiday tree.
The tree lighting event continues the tradition started by Worcester Square resident Rose Mehegan 50 years ago. Though Rose has retired to Rhode Island, she will be on hand to press the button that lights the tree.
Leading up to the event, members of WSANA’s Board of Directors will be selling raffle tickets for a number of prizes donated by local businesses including gift certificates to restaurants, gift cards for merchandise, a case of wine and a grand prize of $500. Raffle tickets, at $2.00 each will be available at the event and winning tickets will be drawn before the festivities draw to a close. As always, a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to a charity that serves the neighborhood as well as other parts of the South End. This year’s selected charity is United South End Settlements.
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By popular demand, the jazz quartet, First Take, will provide the entertainment along with members of the Back Bay Chorale. Attendees will enjoy refreshments donated by local restaurants including hot chocolate, pizza, sandwiches and other fare while listening to holiday music.
The family event will include the time-honored visit by Santa Claus, courtesy of Boston Fire Department Engine 3. Santa has a toy for every child in attendance. The kids also have the opportunity to sit on his knee and list their holiday wishes.
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The event chairman, Michel LaFlamme, said of this year’s event, “We are working hard to live up to the standards set by Rose Mehegan 50 years ago. We’re delighted she can join us this year to see how the event has grown”.
Last year’s event attracted more than 300 people including city and state elected officials. It raised more than $3000. The holiday tree lighting is WSANA’s only fundraising even of the year, with proceeds used to conduct the business of the association and to benefit a charitable organization determined by association member vote.
To learn more about WSANA, visit us on the web at http://www.wsana.net or on our new Facebook page.
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