Tree lighting ceremony shines in Wall Township

With many Wall Township family, friends and township employees in attendance at the Wall municipal building last Wednesday night, the Christmas tree lights were switched on to welcome the holiday season.

While snow fell on last year’s ceremony, all the attendees had to brave this year was the chilly weather.

Mayor of Wall John Devlin gave a speech following the tree lighting, in which he wished everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

There was also a high turnout of local Girl Scouts, who had helped serve cookies and hot cocoa in the municipal building, where a number of people had fled to in an attempt to warm up. Cider was also being served outside, which a number of people took advantage of.

Wall Committeeman Jeff Foster praised the Girl Scouts for their assistance, and for singing holiday songs at the event.

There was a great response from township residents about this year’s ceremony, which Committeeman Foster said was excellent.

The evening was also a highlight for Trish McCarthy, a m ember of Wall Helps Its People [WHIP], which has been holding a food drive to benefit The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

One of the drop-off sites is the municipal building. The entrance way to the building was filled with bags of food, which was extremely satisfying to Mrs. McCarthy.

The WHIP member said she could not believe how many people had provided food, and admitted she was going to have a tough time transporting it all because there was so much.

Committeeman Foster, who is a WHIP member himself, suggested she get a pick up truck to haul all the food donations to the FoodBank.

Mrs. McCarthy did say it was great to see so many people want to help out with such a worthy cause during the holiday season.

Wall Township Recreation Coordinator Ed Grill was ecstatic to see so many smiling faces at the ceremony.

"This is what the holidays are all about," Mr. Grill beamed.

The recreation coordinator said the event could not have been so successful if it were not for the help of so many people, including the Public Works Department, and all the other organizations who helped out this year.

There were also hayrides at the event, which were provided free of charge by Atlantic Farms, in Wall.