CAN DO’s Student Action Committee will ring in the holiday season with the the 28th annual CAN DO Community Christmas on Wednesday, December 1, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church on the corner of Church and Green streets in Downtown Hazleton.

The public is invited to attend this free event, which features a night of musical entertainment by various instrumental and choral groups from schools throughout the Hazleton Area School District. In keeping with Christ Lutheran Church's safety guidelines, all attendees must wear masks during the event.

This year’s performers include the Hazleton Area High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Joseph Stefanko, the Hazleton Area High School Cougar Crooners under the direction of Kim Sharonoff, the McAdoo-Kelayres Mustang Chorus under the direction of Sandra Hoppey, and the Heights Terrace Elementary School Third Grade Chorus under the direction of Rachel Brimmer.

Children can make their Christmas lists at the Letters to Santa table and talk with Santa Claus when he makes a special appearance at the end of the evening. CAN DO Student Action Committee members will be on hand to greet attendees and help children craft their letters to Santa. Those in attendance can visit the Student Action Committee table at the end of the event to receive an individually-wrapped cookie they can take and enjoy at home.

Student Action Committee members were also tasked with submitting two designs for the event t-shirt. Committee members cast their votes in October and the winning design will be featured on shirts worn by the committee members and all the performers.

CAN DO Student Action Committee co-advisor Cal Herring said, “This year's CAN DO Community Christmas is going to feel bigger, better, and brighter than ever because we all missed gathering together last year. This event has always been the perfect way to usher in the holiday season and we're thrilled to host this just days before holding our inaugural CAN DO Community Park Christmas Tree Lighting. On behalf of the Student Action Committee, I'd also like to give special thanks to our sponsors, which include JVI LLC, Benchmark Mortgage, Milkhouse Creamery, T. Platek Contracting and Industrial Services, Keystone Job Corps, Christ Lutheran Church, and WYLN TV 35.”

CAN DO Community Christmas is coordinated by co-chairs Amelia Bredbenner and Lucy Olander of Hazleton Area High School. Additional Student Action Committee members are: Ryan Hastings and Jayce Sanchez of Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences; Ava Ziegler, Mirlenys Rodriguez, Annie Peralta, and Mason Mazurkiwecz of Hazleton Area High School; Kallen Selby and Jaycol Tejeda of Immanuel Christian School; Walter Pavlik of Marian High School; Daniella Vasquez and John Schwear III of MMI Preparatory School; and Timothy Maguschak and Jack Nemshick of Weatherly High School. The students are under the guidance of CAN DO Student Action Committee Advisor Cal Herring and CAN DO Community Relations Specialist Amy Michelli.