ARLINGTON -- With cups of free hot chocolate and carols, Salvation Army volunteers did their best Friday night to spread holiday cheer to families on their way to see the popular Interlochen Christmas Lights.
The free northwest neighborhood Christmas lights display, which draws an estimated 40,000 visitors each year, officially opened to the public Friday night. The event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. daily through Christmas Day.Hoping to collect donations for the charity, Arlington High School students sang, waved and yelled "free hot chocolate" to motorists stopped at the traffic light in front of the Army National Guard office at Randol Mill Road and Oakwood Lane."It makes it more fun and enjoyable," said senior Madeleine Waller, who belted out The Twelve Days of Christmas with her friends while other volunteers waved down motorists.The Salvation Army had hoped to hand out about 500 cups per night at the location, but the volunteers discovered that vehicles weren't stopped at the traffic light long enough to collect donations and distribute drinks. After about an hour and 15 minutes, event organizers sent the students home. They had only collected $12."It was just too dangerous," Salvation Army volunteer Steve Vincent said. "The kids were having to walk into the street."The Army National Guard station is about six-tenths of a mile away from the Red Kettle station that the charity had set up last December at Dr. Susan Hollar's dental office, which is just outside the entrance to the neighborhood.Earlier this month, the Salvation Army canceled its plans to set up at the Bowen Road and Westwood Drive intersection for a second year after protests from some homeowners, who said they were concerned that soliciting donations would worsen traffic congestion and make it seem that visitors were expected to pay to enter.The Salvation Army handed out 3,000 cups of free hot chocolate and collected about $5,000 over six nights last December from the dental office, Jones said. Even with slow donations Friday, organizers said they plan to set up at Army National Guard office again every night except Sunday through Dec. 22.Through the Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army hopes to raise more than $400,000 to support its homeless shelter, soup kitchen and other community programs. Music at the Army National Guard site will be provided by groups, including the Salvation Army band and the Trinity United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church choirs, Patrick said.Susan Schrock, 817-709-7578, Twitter: @susanschrockHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
