The Hicksville-Jericho Club and the Hicksville Fire Department wish to thank the many participants of their Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony - all of whom, along with the members of the community who attended, made this event at Kennedy Park a great success.

A special thank you to the Ella Marie School of Dance for their performances again this year. As always, their talented dancers were able to forgo the extreme cold with smiles on their faces to the delight of the many assembled. A Service Above Self award was presented to Ann Marie Anderson, Michele Rosner and Catherine Golub, partners of the Ella Marie School, for their years of service in helping to make this event what it is. Another thank you to the gals of the Hicksville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary who served the delicious hot chocolate.

Trees were decorated by Charles Wagner Post 421 American Legion. Assemblyman Rob Walker, Breast Cancer Help, Inc., The Center for Developmental Disabilities, Friends Travel, Hicksville Association of Girl Scouts, Hicksville Boys/Girls Club, Hicksville Gregory Museum, Hicksville High School Interact Club, Hicksville Water District, Jericho Middle School, Joseph Barry Council 2520 Knights of Columbus, Legislator Ed Mangano, Montana Agency Inc., Plainview Hospital, Syosset Hospital and the Hicksville Jericho Rotary Club.

Over 200 teddy bears were collected and distributed by Plainview Hospital to the youngsters who attended the Dec. 2 tree lighting. Rotary Club President Jo Ellen is hospital-patient coordinator and was instrumental in presenting this special surprise.

Several boxes of toys were collected and cash gifts were received from the Korean-American Association of Long Island, Girl Scouts of Nassau County - Hicksville Division, NorthWest Civic Association, Midland Civic Association and Friends Travel. Thank you to everyone who supported the Rotary Club's "Toys for Katrina's Kids" project. Shipment of these gifts will be made to a school district in Gulfport, MS. Last day drop off of gifts is Dec. 17 at the main fire station on East Marie Street.

A project of this nature takes many hands to make it happen. Thank you to the folks behind-the-scenes who picked up the trees, set them up, decorated the community tree and placed Santa's hot air balloon in place. We are always fortunate that Santa is available on Hicksville's special night.

Thank you to everyone who supported these efforts, including those who attended this worthwhile community event.