Holiday Happenings at the Chamber

Seasons Greetings from the East Boston Chamber! This is a busy month, so we would like to fill you in on what we are doing to make the neighborhood a bit brighter for the holidays…

Similarly as we have done each year following our participation in the Mayor Menino’s Annual Macy’s Trolley Tour, the Chamber is hosting a Santa Claus & Friends Parade on Sunday, December 13, departing Condor Street at 3:00PM, rolling through the streets of East Boston, and arriving at Orient Heights Square at approximately 5:00PM for a tree-lighting ceremony. Be on the lookout for Santa – full parade route can be picked up at the Chamber office or emailed to you by request. East Boston families are welcome to join us in Orient Heights, outside Ruggiero-Mazzarella Memorial Home, starting at 4:30PM for music and refreshments as we await the arrival of Santa Claus!

On Thursday, December 17, the East Boston Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with
Bulgroup Properties is hosting an Open House, Social Networking Night, and Family Holiday Reception. Taking place at 175 McClellan Highway (located between Danilchuk Auto Body and the Courtyard by Marriott), from 5:30PM –7:30PM, this event is open to Chamber members, as well as any of the following parties, along with their families: those who are in need of affordable office or storage space with flexible terms; entrepreneurs, service-industry professionals, and artists; existing home-based business owners; other small- and mid-sized business owners; any group or individual in need of office, storage, or other commercial space, built-to-suit.

Property management will be on hand to discuss your needs and offer site tours. Music, refreshments, and cash bar will be available…and parents are encouraged to bring along their young ones for fun holiday entertainment including an Elf storyteller, face painter, and even a visit from Santa Claus! The event is free to attend, though donations of canned or other non-perishable food items are encouraged and welcomed. Donated items will be distributed to East Boston food pantries and other in-need organizations.

The Chamber for the second year in a row is distributing donation jars to local merchants, so watch out for them. Contributions go toward a fund used for by the Chamber for annual holiday festivities throughout our neighborhood including lighting in the squares, Santa parades, and other decorations and activities. This year, a portion of the proceeds collected will go towards purchasing food items for some of our East Boston food pantries, so please be generous!

Finally, thanks to a very generous donation by Suffolk Downs to the East Boston Chamber and the East Boston community, our neighborhood will have 100 beautiful Christmas wreaths hung on its light poles. Red bows are being purchased through last year’s donations to the Chamber’s donation jar drive and will be put together by several Chamber volunteers. Wreaths will be hung courtesy of Chamber President Angelo Vigliotta, Jr., and his company Galaxy Electric.

On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Membership, may you enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous holiday season!

John Dudley is the executive director of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce.