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Date: 11/20/2023
LUDLOW — The Ludlow Rotary Club will be hosting its annual Toys for Tots parade and tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The event will kick off at 3 p.m. in the back parking lot of the Ludlow Community Center/Randall Boys and Girls Club, 91 Claudias Way, where kids can decorate an ornament to hang on the town tree.
At around 3:30-3:45 p.m., the parade will start from the Boys and Girls Club and conclude at Town Hall where there will be snacks, caroling, hot chocolate, activities, crafts and local organizations with tables set up like Big Y, Girl Scout groups, the Ludlow 250th Celebration Committee, Ludlow CARES Coalition and American Legion.
The Ludlow High School chorus and band will perform and Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be there to visit the community.
The Ludlow Police and Fire departments will be participating in the parade and will be at Town Hall.
The tree lighting will take place at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Anyone who comes to the event is asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Toys for Tots drive.
Toys for Tots was started in 1947 by United States Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and became a nationwide drive a year later.
Rotary Club President April Beston said, “It really feels great to know that the town comes together in order to give back to the children who otherwise may not have been able to receive a toy at Christmas time. It is not about Ludlow Rotary it is about the town. They are the ones who are truly giving back.”
Last year the donations were able to completely fill up a box truck and Beston is expecting similar results this year.
Beston added, “The event is going to be amazing and even better than in years past. I have no doubt and it is a lot of fun to get the community together.”
There will also be a food drive taking place for the Ludlow Veterans Pantry.
“There are a lot of opportunities to make a difference this year,” Beston added.
There will also be donation boxes located at Town Hall, the Ludlow Safety Complex, TD Bank, the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, Hubbard Memorial Library and the Veterans Service Center for those who would like to donate but cannot make the event.
Beston said, “I think the event is wonderful. It’s the beginning of the holiday season. Everyone comes together for caroling, to see the tree lit in front of Town Hall. It is really a special time. Last year there were a couple hundred people there and it really sells the holiday spirit in town.”