Plenty of toys and non-perishable food items were collected at the village’s first annual Holiday Stroll Saturday on Elmwood Park’s Conti Parkway.
Elmwood Park Village President Angelo “Skip” Saviano said there were more than 500 people who showed up for the events, which started with the Elmwood Park Neighborhood Civic Organization’s “Toys for Tots” Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the Elmwood Park Parks and Recreation Center. Breakfast was free for those who bring in an unwrapped toy valued at $10 or less.
“We collected three big crates full of toys,” he said.
Saviano believes the reason for the large turnout is that along with EPNCO, representatives from the Mont Clare-Elmwood Park Lions Club, Mont Clare-Elmwood Park Kiwanis Club, the local chamber of commerce and the village of Elmwood Park were all in attendance, which brought more people out to the event.
“A lot of people were there throughout the day,” he said.
Members of Grand Corridor Chamber of Commerce and Ray’s Mini Video offered free train rides around the parkway. An ice sculpture was created in the parkway, and several food trucks were parked nearby to feed people.
The Mont Clare-Elmwood Park Kiwanis Club offered face painting and pictures with Santa Clause for $3. They also asked people to bring canned goods, which will go to Leyden Township and St. Celestine food pantries.
Rosanne Eiternick, president of the local Kiwanis Club said she had her hands full that day face painting children’s faces.
“Everyone was pleased with the pictures with Santa,” she said.
She said all the organizations coming together to participate in Holiday Stroll was a good idea as well.
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“As far as I know everyone liked it,” she said. “I like doing things with the community, that’s what we’re about.”
The day’s events culminated with the lighting of the village Christmas tree.