Tree lighting generates Ruby’s Pantry donations
Bobby Claus is comin’ to town
Members of the Northwest Missouri State University community along with local civic leaders gathered on the Gaunt House lawn Thursday evening for the campus’ seventh annual tree lighting ceremony.
Those attending the yuletide event, hosted by President and first lady John and Denise Jasinski, were invited to partake of cocoa and cookies while listening to carols performed by the Horace Mann Laboratory School Bearcat Choir.
In opening remarks delivered on the east lawn of Northwest’s official presidential residence, Jasinski welcomed the crowd of about 200 people and spoke to the importance of celebrating the holiday season.
“Traditions matter,” he said. “Traditions provide people with a sense of comfort, a sense of belonging. Traditions are celebrations that are meant to be shared with others.”
Those speaking at the tree lighting included Maryville Mayor Renee Riedel and City Council Member Rachel Martin, who read excerpts from the classic children’s book, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
In the book, based on an animated television special, everyman Charlie Brown sets forth on a frustrating quest to find the perfect Christmas tree only to be reminded of the true meaning of the holiday by his best friend Linus.
“We all have felt like Charlie Brown at times,” Reidel said. “Our loved ones and sometimes strangers help us find our inner Linus. They take center stage and remind us of the meaning of Christmas.”
Added the mayor: “As we light this beautiful tree tonight with the ones we love, remember that this tree (like Charlie Brown’s) may have only had one branch at one time. With the love and support of our community it is now a symbolic icon of Christmas in Maryville.”
Riedel and Martin both encouraged those in attendance to remember that giving to others is an action that lies at the heart of the holiday season.
Also addressing the crowd was Hayston Wilson, who spoke on behalf of Campus Crusade for Christ and called on people to remember that Christmas traditions are varied and diverse.
“There are all different types of faiths that celebrate Christmas in their own way,” Wilson said. “But they all share the same deep meaning of the season, and we should all aspire to remember that.”
At the end of the ceremony, Jasinski presented Doug Sutton, president of the New Nodaway Humane Society Board of Directors, with a large assortment of supplies and pet food that will be used to care for animals at the society’s animal shelter.
The items were collected through Ruby’s Pantry, a philanthropic effort sponsored by the Jasinski family and named for their dog.
“We at the Humane Society are so thankful for the donation,” Sutton said. “We appreciate all the effort from the community members and university students who took the time to help the animals and make donations.”
The drive took in more than 100 items that included dog and cat food and cleaning supplies in addition to nearly $100 in cash.
