A diverse group of Brockport area residents are working together to make the Second Annual Candlelight walk, scheduled for December 2, a success. Planners predict a thousand residents will attend. Pictured are: Laura Long, Carol Rizzo, Priscilla Baglio, Mary Montgomery, Scott Kodanko, Edith Cornish, Ali Jasmin, Julie Izzo, Casey Capo, Charlene Capo, Anita and Gary Mault, James Mault, Jeanne Piersa, Donna LaMonaco, Helen and John Maier, Paige, Mackenzie and Matthew Pye, Brad Hamling, Angela Dempsey, Ruthann Tyyka, Steve Appleton, Cardell Cordaro and Inga Songbird. Photo by Rick Nicholson.

Brockport Food Shelf
and Toy Shelf to benefit

After the astonishing success last year of the inaugural Candlelight Walk in Brockport, no one in the community is surprised that organizer Inga Songbird has plans well underway for a follow-up. However, residents might be surprised to find out how many more special touches have been added to the December 2 event.

Candlelight Walk 2001 will begin with a concert by the Brockport High School Band around the community Christmas Tree in Sagawa Park. Storyteller Howard Edmonds will act as master of ceremonies. At 5 p.m., Brockport’s official tree will be lit with church bells heralding the occasion.

Residents will then begin a procession through the village streets holding a lighted taper. They will be led by Josh Arnold in the role of the Little Drummer Boy. As walkers move through the streets, their path will be lighted by 400 luminaries, and they will be entertained by several musical groups stationed on porches.

Performance groups include the Brockport College Community Chorus, five groups from Amadeus, the First Presbyterian Church Choir, Sweden Senior Center singer, a Spanish band and soloists Janelle Canon and Julie Izzo.

A live manager scene will be on display in the yard of the Nativity Church.

Once the procession reaches the Market Street fire hall, walkers will be treated to hot chocolate and cookies.

Songbird will ask residents along the route to decorate their homes, if possible, before December 2, to add to the holiday atmosphere.

Approximately 350 people participated in the Candlelight Walk last year, surprising Songbird and others who thought she would only have a handful of residents turn out. She is expecting upwards of a thousand people this year.

Participants are asked to provide their own taper; flame protector cups will be on sale for $2 during the band concert. The $2 cups provide funds to benefit the Brockport Toy Shelf and the Brockport Food Shelf.

Those two organizations support hundreds of families in the greater Brockport area. The Toy Shelf provides Christmas presents for children whose families aren’t able to provide much holiday cheer for various reasons. The Food Shelf is a year-round effort that experiences one of its peak use times during the holiday season.