December 3rd
ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADES AND TREE LIGHTINGS
Morgan Hill Organized by Kiwanis Club with support from the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and the City of Morgan Hill . This year ’ s parade is expected to include approximately fifty entrants including decorative floats , local high school and middle school bands , dance troupes and much more . After the mayor lights the tree , Santa hangs out with kids in the Community and Cultural Center courtyard to find out what ’ s on their wish lists .
Gilroy Organized by the Gilroy Downtown Business Association . The parade is a true multi-generational event . A grand marshal nominated from the community gets to ride with Santa in the parade , help him light the Christmas tree , and share a personal story . Parade day activities also include the traditional Doggie Dress-Up contest as well as musical and dance performances by local youth . After the tree lighting , families can bring their kids to Mango Street Kids to have their picture taken and share their wishes with Santa Claus .
Both events begin at 5:30 pm
12 be collected at the Chamber of Commerce , Morgan Hill Community Recreation Center , Noah ’ s , Commonwealth Bank , and other locations around town . On December 16th , community leaders deliver the toys to Morgan Hill Unified School District ’ s elementary schools for kids who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holidays . The foundation is also collaborating with BookSmart on its annual Gift of Reading initiative , which gathers donated books for underprivileged families given out at Cecilia ’ s Closet . Girl Scout Troop 62224 volunteers in this drive too .
Our community service organizations may only fundraise once or twice a year : they need our support ! Consider giving to organizations that focus on the needs of the underserved in our community , including seniors , the homeless population , families living with poverty , foster youth and others . Among these organizations are the Morgan Hill Community Foundation , the Gilroy Foundation , Cecelia ’ s Closet , Salvation Army , Gilroy Compassion Center , St . Joseph ’ s Family Center and many local faith-based organizations . Consider “ adopting a family ” through the holiday giving program organized by Community Solutions . Give a membership to a local organization of choice on behalf of a friend or loved one who wants to engage with community service organizations and causes . Give a bike , a car , or a set of new tires to a local nonprofit . Or , give a scholarship to a deserving student .
PICTURE THIS
Time flies . Maybe it ’ s time for a family portrait . Portraits By Rebecca , Morgan Hill , offers professional studio and on-location photo sessions to capture the family , a new baby , or a teen ’ s special accomplishments . Then have your photos exquisitely framed by Leedo Art & Framing , Gilroy ; or Fastframe of Morgan Hill . Both shops offer custom matting and framing for everything from original paintings and photographs to sports jerseys , awards , travel souvenirs , diplomas and even 3-D objects . They can also do restoration of oil paintings and digital enhancement of photos .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 gmhtoday . com
TOYS AND GAMES
Thinker Toys of Morgan Hill has a wellthought-out inventory of toys and games for youth . According to proprietor John Horner , “ We shy away from toys that ‘ do all the work ,’ because kids quickly get bored . We look for toys , puzzles and games that spark the imagination , beyond the fads that come and go and always seems to require batteries . Customers love our free giftwrapping service . They can grab a coffee from Starbucks while we wrap , and their packages are ready when they return . We can help them find gifts that appeal to kids of different ages and interests . That ’ s not something you ’ ll find in a big box store .”
For that little princess on your shopping list , a Girls Only party at Miss Ooh La La in Gilroy is sure to excite . They provide a variety of themed party options for girls ages 4-12 . Your little princess and her friends will enjoy a glam and dress-up session , followed by entertainment and of course , dessert .