Santa, Festival of Trees coming to town

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
miltonreporter@yahoo.com

Santa and the arrival of the Santa Bus is an annual event in Milton, and will take place on Saturday, Dec. 1. (Photo provided by Ed Couture).

Santa Claus is coming to town, approximately 24 days early, and he’s looking for toys to help the needy.

The visit will take place Saturday, Dec. 1 as part of the Milton Family Community Center’s annual toy drive. Santa will be collecting unwrapped toys, visiting with youngsters, and getting his photo taken, said specially enlisted “Santa Consultant” Ed Couture.

While early December is always a busy time of year for St. Nick, he enjoys helping the toy drive and getting some face time with the kids looking to help those who are less fortunate, said Couture.

Santa’s itinerary includes touring Milton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (SEE SIDEBAR FOR SCHEDULE), before setting up shop in the Hannaford parking lot from 1 to 3 p.m. Having ridden along as a Santa’s helper a couple of years back, Couture said Santa is always a big hit with the little ones.
“It was a great turnout,” he said. “The kids love Santa.”

Besides knowing they’ve helped a family in need this holiday season, donors will receive coupons for a free photo with Santa at that afternoon's Festival of Trees, added Couture.

The Santa Bus has been a Milton tradition since a local bus driver started it in the mid-90s.

While meeting Santa can be a thrill for some children, it’s also to provide much-needed aid to local families who need it, said toy drive coordinator Charlotte Parot.

The Santa Bus historically has been the largest single collection day for the drive, which started in November and runs through Dec. 14. With some 60 families already signed-up to receive assistance and that list only expected to grow, Parot wants that trend to continue.

“I’m hoping the community will really support it and get out there and donate,” she said.

The spirit of giving is also an overriding concept at the family center’s annual Festival of Trees, also held on Dec. 1.

The event will center on a silent auction of artificial Christmas trees and wreaths that are decorated and donated by local residents and businesses, said family center director Brett Chornyak. Homemade fudge, cookies, and raffle baskets—one with over $500 in cosmetics—will round the event.
“It is a fundraiser, but it’s also a way to bring the community together for one more event at the holidays,” said Chornyak.

Some of the trees are decorated in traditional fashion, while others use more exotic themes like multicolored chocolate truffles or cat lover affects.
The common thread is giving, said center public relations specialist Laurie Darling. Having attended past festivals, she said bidders often have someone special in mind to whom they want to give a specific tree. It’s also common for a winning bidder to donate a tree back to the center, which never has a problem finding someone who would like it.

While helping those less fortunate is a major focus during the holidays, Chornyak noted the center operates about 20 programs year-round for a range of demographs, including the teen center and childcare for working parents. Many of those programs are funded through private foundations or government grants, said Chornyak. With those sources increasingly under demand, it puts added importance on local support, he said.

Having come onboard this summer, Chornyak has yet to see Milton’s Festival of Trees, but said he’s greatly encouraged by support he’s seen thus far from residents, businesses and volunteers.

“For us that’s what it’s all about: the community helping the community,” he said. “We’re just the facilitators.”