Communities Celebrate Christmas with Monessen, ‘Thrill of Hope’

Last Updated on Friday, 29 December 2023 21:16

By Jill Runfola

On left, Linda King from New Beginnings Church in Uniontown and on right, Trudy Taylor with Mt. Sinai in Charleroi, sing at His Place Coffee Shop on day of event.

Amy Martincic helps her daughter Lylah, 5, make a Christmas wreath at Monessen Public Library during Thrill of Hope Day.

Pictured at Breakfast with Santa event is (L-R): Autumn Price, 10, helper; Michele Hawk, Westmoreland County Behavioral Health/Developmental Service; “Grinch;” and Westmoreland County Comm. Doug Chew.

Working Children’s Program info booth at Santa event: (L-R): Tiffany DeMarchi, Specialist; Haley Brothers, Director; Natasha Sutty, Specialist.

Santa, during the Breakfast event, shares his hat while visiting with Kannon Ward, 5.

Families in the Mon Valley Community were excited to take part in “Thrill of Hope,” a Monessen Christmas Celebration. Many different events were held throughout the city on Dec. 2, 2023, through the teamwork of local businesses. In the spirit of the season, people had joined together to make the day special.

Beginning at 9:30AM, a Christmas Parade rang in the holidays in Monessen, beginning at Donner Ave. from Family Dollar to 6^th St. The parade was complete with police cars, fire trucks, Santa Claus, holiday characters, a marching band, and more. Thanks go to the City of Monessen, Monessen Police Dept., Monessen Fire Dept. 1, and etc.

The Breakfast with Santa event had a large turnout at Orchard Christian Fellowship Church in Monessen that morning. All age groups enjoyed a delicious breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and sausage. From 10:00AM – 12:00 noon, lots of local resource tables, crafts, activities and visiting characters were on hand. Santa was great with the children, and the event was a big success.

The sponsor of Breakfast with Santa was Westmoreland County Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Administrator for the program, Sara Stenger says, with this event, “We are trying to reach the outlying areas of the county to make sure everyone can access services (by making info available). Our office is the entry point for ID/autism, early intervention, and mental services for the county. We partnered with SPHS for this location as they did a similar event last year.”

Additional Christmas activities later took place at Monessen Public Library and His Place Coffee Shop. Festivities included were face-painting, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Caroling, and hot cocoa. The Thrill of Hope event was all about how beautiful the Season is when the community comes together to celebrate.