Can’t darken Monongah lights or spirit

There’s no free lunch.

Mayor Greg Vandetta posted the costs of having the Christmas street lights shining in Monongah this December.

$3,786.88.

It's not easy for a town like Monongah to foot that large a bill.

It costs $1,900 just to install and take down the 26 Christmas lights.

Obviously, there is more to it than just buying the lights. I bought the one on Church Street across the road from the home where I lived as a child.

Mayor Greg Vandetta offers a ray of hope.

His response to me:

“This is the last year to add Christmas lights. The cost after this year should be only $1,900 for the put up and take down of the lights and the electric charge. There also may be some bulb replacements needed from year to year.

“The town has budgeted $2,000 a year. Hopefully, donations and the Light Committee will offset most of the difference.

“This should be the last rough year.”

Sure hope so. We wouldn’t want the money Grinch to darken Monongah’s Christmas street lights.

 

No matter where you live today, from California to Maine to Florida, as some Lions do, you can help.

The town legally cannot solicit donations but it can accept donations that are earmarked for the Christmas lights.

Make out a check to the Town of Monongah and mail it to:

Town of Monongah

Christmas lights
430 Bridge St
Monongah, West Virginia 26554-1004

 

In the Memo area of your check, write:

For Monongah Christmas lights

Another way to light up Monongah for the holidays is to make your check out to:

Monongah Christmas Lights Fund

Mail your check to:

Susan Sanders
Monongah Christmas Lights Fund
Post Office Box 9051
Monongah, WV 26554.

All that matters is that Monongah’s Christmas street lights send out a glow that can be seen by astronauts returning to Earth. Monongah will be their shining star.

I put my money where my mouth is. I mailed in my donation to keep the Christmas street lights shining in the town of my birth, including the pearl in a shell light on Church Street next to the home where I grew up.