By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
The return of the annual Wyoming Gives Back event will include a new venue and a tree lighting ceremony.
City organizers recently announced that this year’s event, which is from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 1, will be at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW. The reason for the move, according to Jennifer Stowell, assistant to the city manager, is for the tree lighting ceremony, which will close out the event.
“Our City Manager, Curtis Holt, wanted to have the tree lighting ceremony,” Stowell said, adding that it has been about 10 years since the city has such an event.
“So none of the city lights will come on until after the tree lighting ceremony,” she said.
It will be the first in-person Wyoming Gives Back in two years. Last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID and in 2020, it was a virtual program that was filmed and produced at the WKTV Community Center.
Wyoming Gives Back is Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“It’s the season for joy as our community comes together once again to celebrate the holidays,” Wyoming Mayor Elect Kent Vanderwood said. “We encourage Wyoming residents and community members to join the festivities, which will include a great lineup of local school choirs and bands, gift giving, a tree lighting and more.”
The Wyoming Gives Back will be similar to those in the past. Residents will bring toys to the Wyoming City Hall. The toys are donated to the Salvation Army Angel Tree. For each toy donated, a resident receives a raffle ticket for a chance to win gifts donated by Wyoming businesses.
There will be additional prizes this year as several businesses who donated to last year’s event had the city keep their donation for this year, Stowell said.
During the two-hour event, there will be music from the Salvation Army Band, Godwin Heights High School Choir, Lee Varsity Voices Choir, and Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band. All the groups will be performing in the Council Chambers. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be there checking in with area children on their Christmas wishes. Also members of the Wyoming Police and Fire departments will be there as well. WKTV also will be there recording holiday greetings.
The City of Wyoming has been hosting the annual Wyoming Gives Back event for 12 years, partnering with local businesses and the community to celebrate the holiday season by helping those in need. For more information about Wyoming Gives Back, visit www.wyomingmi.gov/givesback or call 616-530-7372.
