Santa had dozens of helpers during the Tree of Lights ceremony in Aldergrove on Sunday, Nov. 24.
His little elf volunteers from the Aldergrove Girls Soccer and Infinity Cheer were brimming with glee and Christmas cheer as they served hot chocolate, treats, and mailed letters for visiting kids.
This year seemed to have a larger crowd, commented Cashmere Roder, former president of the Aldergrove Community Association.
And Roder is right, with approximately 600 in attendance throughout the night, estimates Alyssa Nielsen, president of the Christmas committee.
"It was definitely bigger," she said. "The attendance each year has just grown exponentially."
JD Turkey Farms handed out all its 300 hotdogs brought for the night. And about 600 cookies and 600 cups of hot chocolate were given out.
"I thought last year was magical and amazing, and I thought, 'could it get any better than this?' There's something so sweet about this event. And this year, when I arrived, it was even more magical. I was blown away!" Nielsen shared.
There was a big difference in volunteers this year too, she noted.
"There were lots of young adults and adults, but also many kids. There were so many young people with volunteer lanyards, and this is the next generation learning of the importance of volunteering.
"It can't happen without volunteers, and these young ones are learning firsthand the value of volunteering."
For Mrs. Claus, a moment she was touched by was when six-year-old Ellis approached her and said: "There is nothing better than the Christmas spirit."
"That was just really magical for me," she said.
New this year, the event featured a visit by the Grinch and Whoville characters – including Aldergrove Business Association president Jodi Steeves dressed up for a role and posing for pictures.
Mrs. Claus was escorted by Const. Peter Mann with the Langley RCMP into the event. She sang popular Christmas songs and read the story of the Grinch to an audience, before lighting up the tree.
Families were invited to hang a Christmas ornament on the tree fence as well.
