Sheffield — For 97 years, the town has celebrated Christmas in its annual tree-lighting event. The tradition continued on Sunday, December 8, as hundreds of residents gathered in front of the First Congregational Church of Sheffield on the Town Green to watch the tree lighting.
At the event, students from the Mt. Everett High School Band played traditional Christmas carols for the over 100 residents in attendance.
“Everyone is here tonight because of the spirit of the holidays,” resident Stephanie Fredsall told The Berkshire Edge. “We live in a small community, and people love Christmas, which means families and friends spending time together. Sheffield is a wonderful community where everybody has each other’s backs, we get together and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season.”
“Sheffield has a grand sense of community,” said Sheffield Historical Society Vice President Kathy Starapoli. “Christmas always brings everyone together. It’s wonderful because we have the young people with the band and the adults who come here for the event. An event like this really is great in bringing people together.”
At the event, donations were accepted for nonprofit organization Construct Inc.’s Good Samaritan Fund. The nonprofit was founded in 1969 in order to provide affordable-housing opportunities and housing supportive services to residents in 15 southern Berkshire County towns. Construct Inc. Executive Director Jane Ralph spoke about the importance of the fund at the event. “Construct Inc. served over 30 households from the Good Samaritan service area with over $10,000 in financial aid and other support relating to housing,” Ralph said. “We have over 50 households on our waitlist. Last year, we received $4,715 in Good Samaritan donations. True to the Good Samaritan narrative, the neighbors in other towns have donated to make sure that the remainder of these needs are met.”
Towards the end of the event, residents all joined together to sing “Silent Night.”
After the event ended, residents all gathered near the Sheffield Historical Society for cookies, hot coco, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Click here for more information about the Sheffield Historical Society.
Click here for more information about Construct Inc. and its Good Samaritan Fund.
