Caroling For A Cause salutes the season with songs and residents’ gifts

The carolers serenade some residents on Sixth Street.

Temperatures in the 20s didn’t stop a hardy band from Caroling For A Cause Sunday evening in Summit.

Miriam’s cafeteria was the first stop before heading into the neighborhood.

About 30 people, including one almost newborn in a front pack, assembled at Miriam Hospital about 4 p.m. for cookies and hot chocolate, and sang a few tunes in the cafeteria and the emergency room. Then it was out into the cold in the annual event sponsored by SNA in cooperation with Miriam.

With song leaders Kurt Anderson and Jeff Davis in front, the singers marched up Sixth Street to Bayard to Fifth to Summit to Fourth, laughing all the way.

A mother and child brought cookies to the singers.

As they proceeded, residents came out on their porches to enjoy the music and donate cash or peanut butter that leaflets a few days before had requested. In all, $165 and more than 25 jars were collected. At two different houses, the singers were rewarded with trays of cookies. The money and food all go to the St. Raymond’s church food pantry.

One family came out onto their lawn to enjoy the songs.

However, the cold air took its toll on the carolers, especially the families with small children, so that only about 15 were present for the final “Silent Night” on Fourth Street just short of Hope. With jolly calls of “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas,” they went their separate ways, vowing to meet again next year.