Toronto group to hold two holiday events

BUILDING A TREE — Abby LeMasters, left, and Lish Troski unfurled one of the many branches of the 18-foot tree they and other volunteers with Inspire Toronto assembled near the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets. The site is where the group, formerly known as the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization, will hold a family-oriented Christmas event on Nov. 30. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — With a new name for their group, volunteers with the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization will hold two Christmas events next week: One very familiar to residents of the Gem City and another aimed at offering some holiday fun to area families.

The group’s leaders — Abby LeMasters, Lish Troski and Toni Moreland — gathered with several other volunteers recently to assemble the 18-foot artificial Christmas tree that stands near the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets.

It was one of many preparations made by the group for a Christmas Light-up Night to be held at the site from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 30.

The three are quite excited about the new event while looking forward to carrying on a Toronto tradition of lighting candles in memory of loved ones at the Gazebo Commons near North Third and Market streets.

Re-dubbed Night of Remembrance, that event will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday and will include music.

With the cooperation and support of Clarke Funeral Home and J.E. Foster Funeral Home, the names of loved ones who have died since last year will be read.

Through the years, many have gathered at the gazebo and park, which are decorated for Christmas by another volunteer group, the Toronto Beautification Committee.

LeMasters, Troski and Moreland, all local business owners, said since taking over the coalition from George Komar this summer, they have wanted to offer another Christmas event with activities for children.

They said in addition to “reindeer games” and an appearance by Santa, the Christmas Light-up Night will include performances by a magician and dueling pianos, food trucks and a vendors market.

LeMasters said the vendors will include nonprofit groups hoping to raise funds for their causes as well as local dealers of crafts and other items.

She added businesses along North Fourth Street have been encouraged to be open during the event.

LeMasters said the city teamed with their group to provide the tree, which stands about 21 feet tall with a large star atop it, while many local businesses have contributed to other aspects of the event.

The group is offering a new event and adopting a new name: Inspire Toronto.

Feeling a new identity was needed, the three sat down to consider what would best suit its goals.

“We had a brainstorming session. We threw out a bunch of words that we wanted to be our goals,” said Troski.

She said, ultimately, Inspire Toronto was chosen because they want to inspire the entire community to come together.

Moreland said the change hasn’t become official yet, with the group continuing to use the coalition name on its Facebook page and elsewhere.