Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed a festive kickoff to the holiday season during the 21st annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Wednesday evening.

The event was held at Christ Lutheran Church 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 Mary Susan McAndrew, Marian Catholic High School, and Haylee Kirschner, MMI Preparatory School, served as this year’s co-chairs for CAN DO Community Christmas.

The event included music from the following school groups: the MMI Chamber Ensemble, the Hazleton Area High School Chamber Singers, the Hazleton Area High School Jazz Ensemble and the Heights-Terrace Elementary/Middle School third-grade chorus.

CAN DO Chairman of the Board Lew Dryfoos 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.”

This year’s Community Christmas/“Come Celebrate the Arts” featured the theme “Winter Wonderland.” Each student who performed received a T-shirt designed by the CAN DO Student Action Committee.

Santa Claus paid a visit to Community Christmas and posed for photos with children. Members of the Student Action Committee also helped children write up their wish lists to send to Santa while they enjoyed Christmas cookies.

The committee is made up of local high school students who serve on the CAN DO Board of Directors. Charles Burkhardt and Nancy Stasko serve as advisers to the Student Action Committee. Student Action Committee members are Nicole Barber, Dan Synoski, Luke Olander and Gabrielle Ator, Hazleton Area High School; Walker Day and Rebecca Wolfe, Immanuel Christian School; Arianna Srinivasan, Hunter Berger and Mary Susan McAndrew, Marian Catholic High School; Hayle Shearer and Haylee Kirschner, MMI Preparatory School; and Shannon Sarosky and Samantha Hartz, Weatherly Area High School.