Holiday spirit shifted into high gear in Wilmot on December 8 when more than 150 people attended the second annual Wilmot Express, a collaborative, progressive event sponsored by the Wilmot Community Association (WCA), the Wilmot Volunteer Fire Department, and the Wilmot Public Library.

Patty McGoldrick from the WCA; Kyla Pillsbury from the fire department; and Rosanna Dude from the library worked together to ensure the success of this event.

The evening started when folks showed up at 4 PM at the WCA’s Red Barn to make and decorate gingerbread houses, create a craft, or write holiday cards that were sent to members of the US military serving overseas.

The fire department collected 200 non-perishable food items – double what folks gave in 2012 – through the Alice Chandler Memorial Food drive. The fire department donated the food to the Wilmot Food Pantry.

At the library, Santa read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas to about 75 attendees, including 45 children who received a book from the Jolly Old Elf.

Volunteers ensured the event’s success.

At the fire department, volunteers included Tom Scully, fire chief, who was the lead chef; Kelsie Lee, who created promotional materials for this event; and Sam Clarke, who was the conductor and Santa’s chauffeur.

Other fire department volunteers included Ethan Ballin, Jeremiah Charles, C.J. Brim, Dave Herr, Sean Brunel, Sean Cushing, Curtis Richmond, Justin Bishop, Emily Patterson, Sandra Bresse, Jay Lyon, Phil Nicholson, Tom Hill, Kevin Cioffe Sr., Kevin Cioffe Jr., Kyle Cioffe, Linda Cioffe, and Jennifer Leary.

Volunteers at the WCA included Bob Murphy, Margaret and John Monto, Jonalyn Burt, Carley St. Louis, Meghan Sheehey, Amy Gignac, Frances Carpenter, Judy Hauck, Tom Schamberg, Mary Fanelli, and Lindy Heim.

At the library, volunteers from the Friends of the Wilmot Public Library wrapped books and packed them in a big sack for Santa to distribute to the children. John Swindell of Kearsarge Studios Photography took photos of children with Santa.

All three organizations extend a very special thank-you to Santa Claus for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend the evening in Wilmot.