Thanksgiving is officially here and with that comes the holiday season of festivities and giving. For the 10th straight year, the East Haven Rotary Club is providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need.

Once the Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, East Haven gets into high gear for the upcoming holidays. The East Haven Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual tree lighting on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 1 to 5 p.m. on the East Haven Town Green.

“It’s tradition,” said Chamber President Jenn Higham. “The community enjoys that it’s a New England-y kind of event that brings everyone together, the kids enjoy it. That’s what the holidays are about, bringing everyone together, especially this year.”

Higham noted that anywhere from 600 to 1,000 people come out for the annual event, which also features children’s rides, a horse and carriage, cookie decorating, activities with different East Haven schools, and raffles.

“Joe Santino is gracious every year and gets tons of gift cards and bikes to raffle to the kids,” said Higham. “Kids can enjoy all of the rides with a $2 wristband and the other activities are all free.”

There will also be performances by the East Haven High School Marching Band and Students of Wagner Iaovanna Vocal Studio. Santa arrives at the Green at 2 p.m. and the tree is lit at 5 p.m. The Chamber will also have a collection box for donations of non-perishables for the East Haven Food Pantry.

The East Haven Fire Department Volunteer Company One Ladies Auxiliary will run a s’mores station supported by donations from Stop & Shop and the Rotary Club will provide hot chocolate. Visitors can also buy dinner from one of the two food trucks that will be at the event—Shoreline Prime and Apizza Grande.

While the Chamber runs the event—committee members include Higham, Lorrie Maiorano, Mark Gravino, Joann Mallinson, Renae Voira, Samantha Parlato, Lisa Geraci, Mark Azzolina, and Rosalie Petrowski—major sponsors include Citizen’s Bank, the Town of East Haven, Bender Plumbing, and Fair Haven Community Health. The event is also widely supported by local businesses.

“The town, public works, the fire department, and the police department help us out so much,” said Higham, who noted that there are 40 banners for the Banner Program, which supports the event. “We have a lot more banners than last year. Local businesses have been wonderful. The businesses all want to be involved because, next to the Fall Festival, this is the event people love to see in the community.”

See Santa

The tree lighting isn’t your only chance to see Santa this year. The East Haven Rotary Club hosts its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the East Haven Senior Center, 91 Taylor Avenue. The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee.

Santa’s sleigh arrives at 9:30 a.m. and he will be bringing a gift for every child. Children can fish for prizes for $2. Admission is $5 or an unwrapped toy for the East Haven Fire Department Annual Christmas Toy Drive. Children under 8 are free.

In addition to visiting with Santa, children can get a free Amber Alert identification card. A second Amber ID card is available for an additional fee.

“I enjoy the kids when they see Santa,” said Rotary President Carl Ruggiero. “They have a good time and we have a good time doing it.”

Santa will also be visiting the Shore Line Trolley Museum on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Nov. 25 to Dec. 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. After riding on the antique trolley from the museum, families can explore the trolley yard and visit with Santa, who has a small gift for each child.

After dark, the trolleys and the museum are lit up with holiday lights. Many trolley cars are decorated for the holidays. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for ages 62 and up, $6 for ages 2 to 15, and free for kids under 2.

Give Back

Residents also have several opportunities to give back throughout the holiday season. The East Haven Food Pantry accepts donations during its regular hours (9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays) or monetary donations can be mailed to Christ and the Epiphany Church at 39 Park Place.

The East Haven Senior Center is hosting “Be a Santa to a Senior.” Those interested in helping can visit the senior center where they can take an ornament from the tree. The ornament has a senior’s gender and gift request listed. The ornament and gift are then returned to the senior center.

For more than 25 years, the East Haven Firefighters Local 1205 has hosted a toy drive to give back to East Haven residents in need for the holidays, helping about 200 children each year. Similar to the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, there is a tree located at EHFD Company 1 on Main Street.

The children at Old Stone Church’s preschool craft ornaments for the tree and a child’s age and gender are written on them. Residents can choose an ornament, shop for gifts, and then return them to the firehouse.

“About a week before Christmas, we’ll bring all of the donated gifts to the Foxon Firehouse and we have a whole committee of firefighters and their wives who sort them,” said Joe Ciscone, president of the union. “Once they’re sorted, people can come in, pick up their gifts, and bring them home to put under their tree.”

Ciscone noted that many residents donate, but there are also many local businesses and organizations that give back, as well, including Smitty’s East Side Café, Rib House, Beacon Insurance, Attorney Frank Kolb, Stop & Shop, Raging Knights Firefighters Motorcycle Club, East Haven Cub Scouts, East Haven Rotary Club, East Haven Volunteer Co. 1, Ann Korwek through the Regal Beagle in New Haven, New Haven Elks Club, Momauguin School, and Melillo Middle School where the 8th-graders have organized a drive.

“People are very, very generous,” said Ciscone. “For the most part, every family is appreciative and it’s very emotional when you call to tell them that they’ll have toys for their kids this year. They’re so happy to hear from us and it’s rewarding for us to do.”

Information

Tree Lighting: 203-467-4305

Breakfast with Santa:

Carl at 203-469-5545 or

sonny246@aol.com

Santa Trolley Rides:

203-467-6927 or

shorelinetrolley.org

Santa to a Senior: 203-468-3277

EHFD Toy Drive: 203-468-0204

Food Pantry: 203-467-4668