FAIRVIEW – On Friday evening the Fairview Lions Club hosted its first Christmas parade, running from the elementary school down to Fairview Town Park, where other activities were planned. The parade itself was a small one, but provided entertainment for the large crowd in attendance. New Mayor Keith Henry served as grand marshal, accompanied by the town council, Fairview High School marching band and trucks from the Fairview and Berlin volunteer fire departments. Atop the very last fire truck rode none other than Santa himself!
Lions Club representative and event planner Stephanie Giancatarino remarked, "It was small for the first year, but it was a pretty good run!"
Judging by the crowds descending on the park at the parade's end, she was right. Parade vehicles filed into Fairview Town Park while local folks packed the park's north pavilion to capacity. The park's Christmas tree was officially lit beside the pavilion, and the Fairview band gathered once more to play "Silent Night." Fires helped relieve the winter chill, while volunteers served cookies and hot chocolate. Giancatarino procured 500 cookies and 500 candy canes for the event, and they seemed to be moving fast. Children visited with Santa, and had the opportunity to hear "The Night before Christmas" and a reading of the Nativity story from the Bible.
Giancatarino is proud of what the town of Fairview and its Lions Club are doing, and not just at this event.
"The Lions is a good group," she said, "they really want to help people. They really, as a group, want to get out into the community, and bring the community together more. We're open to people to volunteer, and help us; and we welcome the help. We're not just here to help the community, but we're here to be a community together. It couldn't have been done without the town's help; they've been with me since the start of it."
She concluded, "We're not a big group, but we get it done. It's a little stressful, but it’s always worth it. It's a good idea to bring the community together, especially to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It's sad it only comes once a year, but it's a treasured time. There's no better time to be a community."
Catching up with Cullman Caring for Kids
While in Fairview for the Lions Club Christmas parade, the Tribune ran into Cullman Caring for Kids (CCK) Director Javon Daniel, who was there to read the Nativity story from the Bible.
He said, "One of the Lions Club members asked me if I would be willing to come out and read the Christmas story from the Bible and, being a pastor, I didn't turn down the opportunity. I really enjoy this. This is awesome!"
When asked how CCK is doing this close to Christmas, Daniel was optimistic, but careful to point out that need will continue after the last carol is sung and the lights come down.
"Right now, we're doing okay," he replied. "A lot of people have responded to the need, and we're doing okay. But as the first of the year comes along, we'll probably do 100 to 125 families the first day we're open in the new year. So, it doesn't take long to go through a lot of food, with that many people."
CCK takes donations of food, but through its partnership with the North Alabama Food Bank in Huntsville, the organization can purchase groceries at a substantial discount. For that reason, monetary donations of any amount are very helpful and always welcome. CCK is a registered nonprofit, so donations are tax-deductible.
Those interested in making donations of any kind can visit the CCK office at 402 Arnold St. NE, Suite W-1 in Cullman, call 256-739-1111, or visit the organization's website http://www.cullmancaringforkids.com.
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