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Merry Christmas in the Park: Lights, Food, Hope

Merry Christmas in the Park: Lights, Food, Hope
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By Ro Morse
Nov. 28, 2014 | PADUCAH, KY
By Ro Morse Nov. 28, 2014 | 08:00 PM | PADUCAH, KY
Paducah's 18th Christmas in the Park lights up Noble Park each evening with hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights and sparkling displays for those who drive through. Visitors are asked to donate canned goods or money at the Santa House as they drive by. The food and funds support local food pantries. 

Andrea Underwood, Paducah Power System spokesperson, said there were thoughts of not sponsoring the event considering PPS rate issues this year, but everyone involved wanted to make it happen. It seemed more important than ever to support those who depend on the event to fill their pantries and feed those in need. PPS sponsors Christmas in the Park each year and each year there are more lights and more food donated by those who drive through to view the spectacular Christmas light displays. 

Underwood said it takes about 200 volunteers to man the Santa House collecting canned goods and donations through New Year's Day. This year all the slots, including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, were filled two weeks after requests went out. 

Bristol Broadcasting's FM 94.7 - The Mix plays Christmas tunes nightly during the holidays for those cruising the park to enjoy as they experience the dazzling light displays.

This year the city honored Erich Vierkant, a retired PPS employee, as grand marshal of the Paducah Christmas parade. Each year starting in October, Vierkant volunteers his time to get the Christmas in the Park light display installed. During Christmas in the Park, community volunteers collect donations of money and nonperishable food items for these local agencies; Paducah Cooperative Ministries, Family Services Society and the Salvation Army. To date, nearly $500,000 has been collected in addition to more than 605,000 pounds of food.

In recent years, a significant portion of the proceeds has come from the annual Stuff the Truck drive involving Lourdes and Baptist Health Paducah and the School Challenge. During Stuff the Truck, employees at both hospitals and the general public work for two days to stuff a semi trailer full of canned and dry goods. Last week the community stuffed the trucks on Tuesday at Baptist Health Paducah and on Wednesday at Lourdes Hospital. Once again goals were reached to fill the semi trucks. Wagner Moving and Storage donates the semi each year to hold and deliver all the donations.

During the School Challenge, schools in Paducah/McCracken County compete against each other by collecting canned goods through December 17th. The school that collects the most pounds of food per student wins $1,000. Both events typically generate more than 35,000 pounds of food.

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