(Hazleton, PA – December 2, 2010) – Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed a festive kickoff to the holiday season during the 18th annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Thursday evening.

The event was held at the J.J. Ferrara Performing Arts Center in downtown Hazleton. CAN DO Community Christmas is coordinated by CAN DO’s Student Action Committee, which is made up of local high school students who plan and assist with special community projects throughout the year. Committee members Susan Funk and Yanira Paulino served as this year’s co-chairs for CAN DO Community Christmas.

CAN DO Chairman of the Board John Spevak welcomed guests, saying, “We’re so happy that you have joined us for the CAN DO Community Christmas as we Celebrate the Arts. I know how hard the members of the Student Action Committee and all of tonight’s performers have worked in anticipation of tonight. On behalf of CAN DO, I’d like to thank everyone who has planned or participated in this event and wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season.”

The crowd heard Christmas tunes performed throughout the evening by the Hazleton Area High School jazz ensemble, directed by Neil Forte; the Hazleton Area High School chamber singers, directed by Kim Sharonoff; the Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School third-grade chorus, directed by Rachel Brimmer and Jennifer Gerhard; and the band “RAIL,” made up of students from Hazleton Area High School.

Each student who performed at CAN DO Community Christmas received a T-shirt designed by the Student Action Committee. The children in attendance also wrote letters to Santa with the help of the students on the committee.

Students serving on the committee are Adam Hauze, Jocelyn Hinkle, Katelyn Mantz and Stephen Senick, Hazleton Area High School; Jonathan Hall and Yanira Paulino, Immanuel Christian School; George Gera and Nicholas Triano, MMI Preparatory School; and Susan Funk and Matt Caccese, Weatherly Area High School. Charles Burkhardt and Nancy Stasko are advisers to the Student Action Committee.