On Jan. 23, an event took place to honor volunteers for the Festival of Lights in East Peoria. This event takes place annually to highlight the work of those volunteers who make the month-long annual event possible.
However, it was stated that this year’s appreciation night was geared more to the “Nights of Giving” volunteers than anything else.
“Nights of Giving” is a new event in which media, and other organizations, choose a night to man the gates at the Winter Wonderland in December. Each group also chooses a charity, and half of the proceeds from that evening go to the charity.
Six nights were set aside for “Nights of Giving,” and nearly $16,500 was raised for charities.
We are glad to see some new, fresh ideas being incorporated into the Festival of Lights.
“Nights of Giving” is a great idea and it is a fantastic way to support worthy causes.
Those who accepted checks on behalf of the charities were ecstatic, and it makes one feel good to know that the true spirit of Christmas took place right here in East Peoria.
However, we suggest that if the “Nights of Giving” continue next year that it is not the main focus of the Festival appreciation night.
While those media groups who volunteered should receive recognition, the evening should honor all volunteers, especially those who have volunteered their time and efforts for a number of years.
The volunteers who string lights, drive floats, walk in the bitter cold next to the floats to guide them and do much, much more should be praised the most, rather than those media groups who only work one night during the entire event.
The Festival’s core group of volunteers start many months before the event kicks off at the end of November. In fact, they probably work year round. As soon as one Festival is over, planning and work for the next one begins.
If it is not already being done, one idea is to honor the volunteers with a service pin after volunteering for a certain number of years.
There is a core group of individuals who work behind the scenes and have done so for many years. They can be likened to Santa’s elves in the workshop — but instead of toys, they make floats and light displays that are going to make children (and adults) “ooo” and “aah” and smile.
People like Archie Lyons, Wally Jaquet and many, many more are the backbone of the Festival of Lights.
Those volunteers who give their time and talents for the Festival of Lights are likely humble and do not even care much if they receive recognition. But they should receive recognition.
They work on the Festival for unselfish reasons, such as wanting to simply serve their community in some way. Surely some of them do so because they enjoy it and the companionship it provides them by being a part of something.
Whatever the reason is, we are glad they do. Our hats are off to them.
East Peoria, Ill. —
