Holiday cheer at the first annual community tree lighting. From left, Arielle Pare’, Cheryl Tompos, Anna Tompos and Rick Tompos. Pilot Photo/Paul Pare’

By Jeff Kenney Staff Writer
CULVER — The Culver Youth Community Organization (CYCO), a group of service-minded students from Culver High School and Culver Academies, is teaming up with Culver’s Knights of Columbus and the Culver Academies, to spread holiday cheer on Friday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m., at the third annual Knights-sponsored community-wide Christmas tree lighting and caroling event, which starts at the depot on Lake Shore Drive with caroling continuing through the town of Culver afterwards.
CYCO members hope that the event — which includes snacks and hot drinks for all — will also help them promote the group’s efforts to raise funds to “adopt” local families in need of assistance this Christmas. CYCO adopted a large family last year through donations, according to Lyndsey Fisher, a member of the group. Union Township Trustee Marlene Mahler coordinates the families who would appreciate assistance.
Said Brenda Sheldon, the adult coordinator on the Culver High School side of CYCO, “One of CYCO’s mission statements is to support community organizations.”
In light of that, adds Fisher, “The Knights were trying to get people to come to the tree lighting and we were looking for an event that would involve caroling,” so the two came together. In the process, CYCO member Colin Lasko says the group hopes to bring together sometimes-disparate areas of the Culver community, those of the town of Culver and Culver Academies.
“Hopefully we can raise more money and bring the community together all at once,” says Lasko.
Nancy McKinnis, the adult sponsor of CYCO at Culver Academies, calls this a “student-driven project.”
“The mission (of CYCO) is to build relationships through service,” said Mc-Kinnis. “So caroling also supports the mission. We have members of CYCO that are vocally and instrumentally talented.”
Sheldon added that the CYCO students are contacting the churches personally and making personal invitations to area business and clubs to participate.
Rick Tompos, of Culver’s Knights of Columbus, notes that the event will include an address by Town Manager Sean McDermott and several of the heads of Culver’s Council of Churches. Santa Claus will also make an appearance and the Culver Academies will share its band and various choirs as well.
“We wanted to have both schools come together,” says Tompos, “and have a kickoff to the season. We want it to grow.”
Those with questions about the event may contact Rick Tompos at 574-298-2976. Those interested in supporting CYCO and its efforts to raise funds for holiday gift-giving to needy families can call Brenda Sheldon at 574-842-3391 or Nancy McKinnis at 574-842-4067.