Pearl River Shares Christmas, The Holidays

The Rotary Club of Pearl River sponsors its Share Christmas and the Holidays every year, bringing floats, Santa Claus and other well-known characters, hot chocolate and cookies to town.

This year, the main event will start at 7 p.m. in Braunsdorf Park, with Santa's Sleigh and Workshop expected to arrive at 7:30, but that is only one part of what the club does for Share Christmas and the Holidays.

"It's a busy week, but not just the Friday piece," said Rotary Club President Carol McGrath. "That's part of the whole Share Christmas event."

The members of the club will start sharing the holiday spirit today with the first of their visits to local group homes Thursday, with the rest scheduled for Monday. McGrath said that Rotarian Jim Trojan and his wife organize the visits.

"We get a wish list from the residents and the members of t he club each tak ea resident and buy a gift for them," McGrath said. "Santa and Mrs. Claus and other characters go to the homes. We have caroling with them. There is a lot of preparation that goes into that."

The Share Christmas floats will be on the east side of town/Nauraushaun area from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The floats hit the area around Route 304 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday before arriving at Bruansdorf Park.

"The people come out. Children wave," McGrath said. "It's nice."

Holiday music and caroling will begin in the park at 7 p.m.. There will be hot chocolate, mulled cider and cookies as well as the opportunity to help children in need. The Rotary Club is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots Friday, as well as other locations throughout town.

Members fo the Dominican College Rotaract Club will also help out, with members of both groups helping to bring in family-friendly characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, Tigger, Elmo, The Grinch and Alvin the Chipmunk.

"It is enjoyable," McGrath said. "It is such a nice piece. It's hands-on."