Help Light the Christmas Season at Boys Town

For our youth, the Christmas season is particularly memorable at Boys Town and, as it does every year, the Christmas Tree Lighting festivities ring in the season with tradition, treats and joyful caroling. Help Boys Town celebrate the Christmas season by joining us for our holiday traditions.

The Village of Boys Town will kick off the Christmas season with a tree lighting ceremony and visit from Santa Claus Sunday, December 6, 2009. Beginning at 7:45 p.m., an official tree lighting ceremony will kick off the Christmas season at Boys Town. Santa will then arrive, not by sleigh and reindeer, but by firetruck to help switch on the lights of the 20-foot, 4-inch tree (as calculated by youth Shane and Michael, who measured the shadow and made algebraic formulas to calculate the height), marking the official beginning of the Christmas season. All are invited for cookies and cocoa after the tree lighting at the Great Hall.

“Each year’s Christmas tree lighting is an incredible event,” said Bob Gehringer, Boys Town High School Superintendent. “This ceremony has been a tradition on the Boys Town campus for many years and holiday traditions are often something our youth haven’t experienced. As they sing carols among their family and friends, they really discover the true joy of this beautiful season.”

Join Boys Town for Irish Christmas.
Call 800-625-1400 to book your holiday tour at the historic Village of Boys Town today!

Boys Town youth across the country are kicking off holiday festivities in a similar tree lighting fashion for their communities. Please join us for a celebration near you!

  • Boys Town Central Florida will hold their annual “palm tree” lighting and open house also on December 6. Children and families will sing carols with a former Grand Ole Opry star and sway to the music of Rhythm and Blues Band. It all begins at 5:30 p.m., at the Boys Town Central Florida Demetree Campus on Flanagan Loop in Oviedo, Florida. Call 407-588-2170 for more information.
  • Boys Town New York will have a tree trimming party for youth, staff and special guests December 9 at their Short-Term Shelter. Guests will enjoy refreshments and “Open Mic” style Christmas Caroling accompanied by a keyboard player.
  • To officially kick off the Holiday on the Boys Town North Florida campus, visitors are invited to decorate the Christmas Tree and eat chili December 10. Guests will also be able to meet the children and families while singing Christmas carols. Please call 850-575-6422 for details.
  • In celebration of the holidays and 20 years in New Orleans, Boys Town Louisiana youth will flip the switch on the Christmas tree they decorated as they lead carolers in song at Washington Square Park December 13. Preceding the caroling, they will acknowledge exceptional donors over the last 20 years. The entertainment and program will be from 4 to 6 p.m., with caroling beginning at 6 p.m. Washington Square Park, is at the corner of Royal and Frenchmen Streets in New Orleans. Please call 504-949-9248 for more information.
  • Boys Town Washington D.C., will honor two dedicated community members for their work with children and families as they ring in the season with their tree lighting December 16 at 6 p.m. Guests will be treated to refreshments and a tour of the campus before hearing from Executive Director Jeff Peterson. Please call 202-832-7343 to learn how you can join in this special celebration.