Chamber Brings In 1,200 Vehicles, $5,857.33 For Toy Drive
The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce held their first-ever Christmas Festival, a drive-through light display at the Sullivan Fairgrounds on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5, with over 1,200 vehicles coming through the displays.
It raised some $5,857.33 for the Meramec Community Mission Toy Drive through donations collected.
The chamber also handed out around 1,000 goodie bags to children coming through also to see Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Shawna Speaks, Chamber Director, stated that the event couldn't have gone any better, and the first year for it was a complete success.
"We learned a lot with this first year of the event, and we are already discussing ways we can improve upon it for next year," said Speaks on Sunday, working to clean up the fairgrounds following the two-night event. "My heart is overflowing with love in what we witnessed this weekend. It has just left me speechless. The overall reactions of those coming through our community were amazing."
Speaks mentioned that with the tough times of COVID-19 and senior citizens, family, and those with disabilities, this event allowed them to get out of the house, practice social distancing and enjoy something Sullivan has not had.
The businesses that displayed for the event included: Journey to Bethlehem, Sullivan Chamber, D&R Seemless Guttering, Schmidt Auto, Kylie Feese Childcare, Ditch Witch, Caldwell Banker Reeves, Team Kaden Foundation, All That Jazz, Smooth Es, The Secret Kitchen, Town & Country Bank, Puroclean Emergency Restoration-Sullivan, HD Real Estate, First Community National Bank and Bourbon RV.
The event sponsors included: St. Louis Credit Union, Chillbilly's, Fleers Auto Body, City of Sullivan, First State Community Bank, Puroclean, Life house Youth Center, Eaton Funeral Home, Laura Automotive Group, Fricks Market, Bourbon RV, The Secret Kitchen, Santa-Rodney Mesger, Donkey Boyz, Wilcox Jewelers, Sullivan Senior Services, Dace Insurance, Anytime Fitness, Gerry Counts Auto Body, Saray's Dog Grooming, Caldwell Banker Reeves, Heavenly Vape, Juergens Heating and Cooling, American Family Insurance-Marilyn Lakaner, Petals and Plants, Eagle Lanes, Hysteria Sound, KTUI 94.1, Ability of Franklin County, Blanton Oil, B&B Kwok Stop and Meramec Tire.