Rain didn’t dampen holiday spirit of Toronto event

TORONTO -- Though raindrops fell steadily onto the city's Gazebo Commons Tuesday evening, many turned out to remember loved ones and help usher in the holiday season at the Christmas lightup held by the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization.

In an opening prayer for the event, the Rev. Jane Schockey of Hilltop and Toronto First Presbyterian Church made reference to the creation of light by God in the Biblical book of Genesis and encouraged attendees to keep the light of God in their hearts.

Placed on three long tables in the park were hundreds of decorated candles purchased by residents in honor or memory of family members or friends or sponsored by Clarke Funeral Home and J.E. Foster Funeral Home for each of the area residents whose final arrangements they handled in the last year.

Toronto Council President Frank McEwen remarked that the large attendance, even in unpleasant weather, reflected the care Toronto residents have for others.

As master of ceremonies, coalition member Jon Greiner noted the Christmas tradition, at least 20 years old, is somber and joyful.

There were the quieter moments as funeral directors Jay Foster and Don Clarke and Coalition President George Komar read the names of those remembered.

But there also was were Christmas music sung by Thomas Graham and the lighting of the Christmas tree at the gazebo's center by Toronto Elementary pupils Kylie and Mason Newsom, Taylor and Carolina Wolf and Hayden Coburn, who were accompanied by their principal, Annie Silverthorn.

The tree was decorated by ornaments made by children at the school, while the gazebo and park were decked out in bows and garland by members of the Toronto Beautification Committee and Toronto High School girls basketball team.

The groups also have decorated the two entrances to the city and other areas for the Christmas season.

Komar noted the occasion serves not only to invoke the physical trappings of the holiday but also its spirit of giving.

He said proceeds from sponsorships of the many luminaria will go to local charities, including the Helping Hands Food Pantry, Toronto Police Department's Shop with a Cop program, Toronto Kiwanis Club's Coats for Kids program and Crossroads Christian Church's Toys for Toronto.

Because of the rain, the luminaria weren't lighted during the program, and Komar has encouraged any sponsors who didn't attend to contact the two funeral homes about picking theirs up.