The Greendale Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Village of Greendale, will conduct the Village’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on “Thanksgiving Friday”, November 25, 2011 in front of Village Hall, 6500 Northway. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will include the Greendale High School Choir leading the crowd in a community sing-along of carols starting at 6:30 p.m. Village President, John R. Hermes, will then lead the crowd in counting down to the lighting of the holiday lights throughout the Village Center at 6:50 p.m. Shortly thereafter, Santa Claus will arrive to provide treats to all the “good little boys and girls.”

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will welcome the United States Marine Corps Reserve and the Toys for Tots program. During the holiday season, and year-round, attendees of the Tree Lighting are asked to remember the less fortunate children of the area and make voluntary monetary donations to support this worthy program. Due to space limitations, donors are asked to make monetary donations to support the Toys for Tots program instead of bringing toys. Marines will honor the event with their attendance and thank donors for their generosity.

Greendale residents and visitors are invited to attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony to kick off the holiday season. Residents and visitors are also reminded to Shop Greendale 1st and support local Chamber of Commerce and Greendale Village Business Association (GVBA) businesses. Many Village Center businesses will remain open until 8:00 p.m. for the special event.

Earlier this year, the Greendale Chamber of Commerce established a scholarship program with the intent of annually awarding a $500 scholarship to a Greendale resident who is a senior in high school and who will be pursuing a degree in business at a four-year college.

To help fund the scholarship, the Chamber held a fundraiser during the Village of Greendale’s annual Hay Days Fall Festival in historic downtown Greendale. Pumpkins were sold for $5.00 each and all proceeds benefit the Greendale Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund. Thanks to the Greendale Park and Recreation Department, Broad Street Coffee, and the Village's Department of Public Works for their support.