A Little Holiday Light and Joy

Special to the Transcript

One evening as the sun begins to set, pay a visit to Crest Avenue Park. Enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting on a bench under the holiday lights strung high in the trees, with a cup of hot tea or coffee from a nearby shop, and a friend or loved one by your side. Or if you’re heading in or out of town, take a moment to enjoy the festive lights on the pine trees lining Main Street as you come over the bridge from East Boston. And there are plans for even more holiday decorations at the entrance from Revere.

After nearly a year of hardship, illness, and challenge, we can be thankful for the sparkle, the lights in the trees, the small acts of kindness found on every corner in our town.

Thanks goes to the Board of the Winthrop Foundation, led by Chairman Russ Sanford and six other dedicated trustees who initiated the holiday lighting effort. Thanks also to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce led by President Vin Recchia and Executive Director Betsy Shane. The two organizations partnered to provide funding for the holiday lights at Crest Avenue Park, in their wish to create festivity and joy as 2020 comes to a close. The Winthrop Foundation provided the funding for the Main Street holiday lights, and special thanks go to Trustees Vinny Crossman and Vasili Mallios who put up the lights to make Main Street sparkle. Funds are limited even for organizations like the Chamber and the Foundation, but by working together and making the most of what we have, we can make this season merry and bright.

The Winthrop Foundation was founded in May 2019 to administer a generous appropriation from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), with support from Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senator Joseph Boncore. Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $160,000 in grants and assistance to local nonprofits, public programs, youth, vulnerable residents, food pantries and the like. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce fosters the economic enhancement of local businesses to help maintain long-term economic vitality and growth in town. Enjoy the lights, raise a glass, and Happy Holidays to All!