‘Wyoming Gives Back’ program kicks off the season in the City of Wyoming

Major Jack Poll looks over the donations from last year’s Wyoming Gives Back.

Grab a toy and head to the Rogers Plaza Mall Thursday for the City of Wyoming’s 7th Annual Wyoming Gives Back.

Each year the City of Wyoming partners with local businesses to celebrate the holiday season and collect toys for the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Last year, more than 400 toys were collected for donation and with the generous support of the participating businesses, the City raffled off nearly $5,000 in prizes.

Event attendees who bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to the Salvation Army Angel Tree will receive a raffle ticket in exchange for a chance to win prize packs that contain hundreds of dollars of gifts donated by Wyoming businesses.

“We use to have just an annual Christmas lighting program by city hall and then we decided to find a place to get it move inside and we would get a bigger crowd,” said Mayor Jack Poll. “Then we combined with some of the organizations that collect toys over the last few years and it is a great event for the city.”

The annual event will take place from 6- 8 p.m. and will benefit the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

“I love it,” said Wyoming Councilmember Kent Vanderwood. “It’s just great to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with all the great residents of the city.”

“That is what Christmas should be all about,” said Salvation Army Lt. William Brutto. “It should be about family. It should be about giving. It should be about helping others. So for the whole City of Wyoming to come together and help others is a fantastic time for the holiday season.”

Wyoming Public Safety officers and firefighters will be at this year’s event.

More than 20 businesses are hosting tables this year. The Salvation Army will be providing cookies and hot chocolate to event attendees. Residents are encouraged to bring their children to meet and visit with the Wyoming Police Department, the Wyoming Fire Department and, of course, Santa Claus!

A lineup of local choirs and bands is scheduled to share the sounds of the season. The lineup includes the Salvation Army Band, Tri-Unity Christian School Cherub Choir, Godwin Heights High School Chorale, Godwin Heights School Treble Choir, San Juan Diego Choir and the Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band.

For more information on the event, visit www.wyomingmi.gov or call 616-530-7272.