Volunteers make the holiday season

I would first like to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday Season from the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Chamber staff. During this time of year, many people give unselfishly of their time to make the holidays a little more special for all of us. And we are very grateful to their efforts and time.

Sometimes “thank you” just doesn’t seem to be a strong enough expression of one’s gratefulness. As I proceed, you will soon see what I mean. It takes many people willing to give unselfishly of their time to make something happen for many to enjoy. The community tree lighting that was held recently at Town Square is one those times.

Many hours of behind-the-scenes planning and work goes into the hanging of the holiday decorations, the community tree lighting, the Santa Run, Lunch with Santa and all holiday community events.

To Carson Sweeney and Josh Keller from NorthWestern Energy — thank you for your time to make our community tree at the Town Square a magical sight.

Thank you to the weekend city crew for hanging the holiday decorations and making our community shine holiday bright. And to members of the Montana State University-Northern basketball team for helping Debbie Callahan and Joe Ross clean the ornaments.

Thank you to the all that helped with the organizing of the tree lighting this year — Joe Ross, Shawn Holden, Debbie Callahan, Stacy Mantle and the Chamber Ambassadors. Again, a thank-you to Shawn Holden and Joe Ross for your technical support and your time to decorate the Square.

Thank you to all who participated to make the evening a holiday memory; from the wonderful music provided by members of Havre High School choir to the Salvation Army for providing the hot chocolate and to the Waid Ranch for providing the burn barrels and wood with both taking off the cool edge of the evening; to Kendall Holden for entertaining the kids by being Frosty the Snowman; to D.A. Davidson, thanks for allowing costume changes to take place; to Walmart for the candy canes and to Santa and Mrs. Claus, for making the tree lighting a magical gathering for the children.

Thank you to the Havre businesses who graciously participated in a very successful Super Certificate drawing that totaled more than $2,600. Four prize packages were awarded along with four kids baskets filled with wonderful holiday treasures.

Thank you to BNSF for sponsoring our Havre Santa Run, to Debbie Callahan and Stacy Mantle for your work organizing the Santa Run, to Scott Young and Norman’s Ranch and Sportswear for being the registration site and to Northstar Athletics for your prize sponsorship for the winning runners. Thanks to the Havre Police Department for being great partners in making the race route safe and to all the participants. As you can see, many volunteered to make this holiday season in Havre so special and thank you all!

What is a volunteer? A person who is willing to undertake a service and give back unselfishly to something they believe in and support. The Chamber has hundreds of people that support the Chamber that fit this definition — and thank you to each and every one of you. The Chamber is strong because of you! Merry Christmas to all!

Debbie Vandeberg

Executive director, Havre Area Chamber of Commerce