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Jefferson Park Holiday Lighting Ceremony Set

By Heather Cherone | December 2, 2015 5:28am
 Volunteers string lights outside the Jefferson Park Transit Center.
Volunteers string lights outside the Jefferson Park Transit Center.
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45th Ward Office

JEFFERSON PARK — The Jefferson Park Transit Center will welcome the holiday season with a blaze of lights at 5 p.m. Monday.

In what has become an annual event hosted by Ald. John Arena (45th), residents will gather to flip the switch on the holiday light display at the transit center, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave.

But this year's ceremony — featuring sing-along Christmas carols and music and Jefferson Park's own Santa Claus — will be hosted by Jefferson Park Forward, a new neighborhood organization that held its first meeting in November.

The group is dedicated to revitalizing Jefferson Park and plans to advocate for economic and neighborhood development, according to its mission statement. Jefferson Park Forward was co-founded by Ryan Richter, who unsuccessfully ran for president of the Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association in September.

While the family-friendly event is free, attendees are invited to bring a toy or winter clothing to donate to students who attend the New Horizon Center, a school for children and adults with severe developmental disabilities and autism in Dunning.

Most needed are musical toys, large-piece puzzles, children's movies on DVD, pillows with cartoon characters as well as mittens, hats and scarves, school officials said.

Fannie's Bakery, which recently opened at 5040 N. Montrose Ave. in Jefferson Park, will provide cookies and the Gale Street Inn will keep hot cocoa flowing.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, and Fischman's Liquors.

For more information, call 773-286-4545 or email ward45@cityofchicago.org.

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