On Thursday, Mohave Community College brought the North Pole to Lake Havasu City with MCC Shines. The free community event was one of Christmas joy and cheer.

The room was decorated in a modern yet homely DIY-style. The walls were ornamented with paper plate mints and balloon Christmas lights decked the halls. The main isle that led guests to their seats became a snowy lane with glitter snowflakes.

To add to the warm atmosphere, refreshments were served by MCC staff.

For the past two years, the Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds Orchestra created the festive mood with an instrumental ensemble of classical holiday nostalgia with some fun variations. The group has been led for six years by director Kimberly Lehmann.

The Symphonic Winds Orchestra performs at MCC Thursday. Rick Powell/RiverScene

The orchestra began its performance with “In the Mood” medley which combined “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” and “Let it Snow.”  Next, the tempo mellowed with “Merry Christmas Darling” by the Carpenters. Bringing the energy back up a Christmas Can-Can mashup, they returned to the gentle classic “Let it Snow” and finished with the  energy of “A Most Wonderful Christmas” medley.

Just as the orchestra took a bow, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and three trusty elves came in and read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” with the orchestra playing between each stanza.

After  dinner and a choir performance, Santa led attendees to the courtyard for the official MCC Christmas Tree Lighting. Lila Johnson, 2, lit the tree and made the magic come to life.

Sanata arrives at MCC Thursday evening. Rick Powell/RiverScene

Across the courtyard the guests entered the 500 commons Building to the forest of Giving Trees as well as pictures with Santa. The Giving Tree Project was a competition between the college clubs that combining the fun of decorating with the fulfillment of giving back to those in need.

The Physical Therapist Assistants department developed a design in particular to not only celebrate the magic of the holidays but to commemorate the lives lost on this the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. To honor those who fought (and fight today), the group, along with Student Services, banded together and made ornaments of their family members who were or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. The face of each ornament had a picture of the veteran while the back displayed their name and a brief description.

The Veterans Giving tree on display at MCC. Rick Powell/RiverScene

“Our giving tree was for the Marine Reserve’s Toys for Tots charity so we wanted to show our family members that served. Student Services joined with us and it was perfect fro Pearl Harbor Day. Two of them are my uncles, and we even have an entire family on the tree” explained Jeanine Ramirez of the Physical Therapist Assistant Department.

Each club had a local organization with donations boxes  throughout  the college:

Physical Therapist Assistants– TOYS FOR TOTS  – New toys, Student Lounge, Bldg. 200

Library– K-12 FOUNDATION – Classroom Supplies, Bldg. 1200

Student Services– HAVEN HOUSE – Child clothing items, Student Services, Bldg. 200  

Surgical Technology–  HOSPICE OF HAVASU – toiletries, Activity Books, Socks/Slippers, Small Flashlights, Bldg. 1000

Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society–AZ CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION – Baby clothes, Diapers, Wipes, Pre College Studies, Bldg. 200

Nursing– WESTERN AZ HUMANE SOCIETY – Blankets, Pedigree dry food, Purina wet food, Litter, Bldg. 1100

Student Art League– FOOD BANK – Non-perishable canned food, Student Lounge Bldg. 200

Steam/Bighorn Decoders Club– ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY – Non-perishable canned food, Plates/Silverware, Bldg. 1200, 200, 500

Student Activities Council– MI KID – Legos/Blocks, Coloring Books, Toys, Puzzles, Student Lounge Bldg. 200

To donate to any of these organizations through Mohave Community College, bring the donations to:

Mohave Community College
1977 Acoma Blvd West,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
(928)-855-7812
https://www.mohave.edu/

Decorations are on display at MCC during MCC Shines. Rick Powell/RiverScene

Symphonic Winds performs before the arrival of Santa Claus and the tree lighting. Rick Powell/RiverScene