Washington Irving once said, “Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” For the past twenty-five years, Christmas in St. Michaels has hosted events during the Christmas season in order to “provide resources to help local non-profit groups fulfill their goals of enhancing the quality of life for the residents of the St. Michaels community,” as their website states. “It’s a community event,” Lin Clineburg, publicity co-chair of Christmas in St. Michaels, enthusiastically says, “Do something with the community for the community.” r
Christmas in St. Michaels raises money through various Christmas events, including the Tour of Homes. During the Tour of Homes, participants visit specially decorated homes throughout St. Michaels and the surrounding area. According to Clineburg, “Every year we have around 10 homes. Most of them are right in the village here. They are in the historic section, and decorated for Christmas. You walk from home to home. There is a shuttle that takes you to the remote homes, two or three outside of the town limits. It's great to see the older homes.”
Clineburg describes Christmas in St. Michaels' as “the in place for holiday happenings” and the Tour of Homes as “a very cheerful event with a real holiday flavor.” While the entire event is run by volunteers, money is raised from the ticket sale proceeds. Tickets purchased in advance cost $25, and tickets purchased the day-of cost $30. “The proceeds go to Christmas in St. Michaels,” says Clineburg. From there, the money is delegated through grants to the community. “I'm in it to make my community better and help those who have needs,” explains Clineburg, “It's outreach in our own community.”
Since its founding in 1987, Christmas in St. Michaels has raised nearly $1,000,000 through their Christmas events. Clineburg says, “We hope that the 2011 event will put us over $1,000,000.” This year, Christmas in St. Michaels has chosen several recipients of grants, including Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, St. Michaels Fire Department, Wilson Reading Garden, and You Food Project.
In addition to the Tour of Homes, Christmas in St. Michaels provides other opportunities for giving. Every year, they sell a Christmas ornament, and this year they are also selling a book called The Santa Diaries—Memories of a Small Town Christmas to commemorate their 25th anniversary. Christmas in St. Michaels also holds a Holiday Gala and Breakfast with Santa. Like the Tour of Homes, all the proceeds from the ornament, book, Gala, and Breakfast are granted to local non-profits.
The Tour of Homes is taking place December 10th, noon–5 p.m., and December 11th, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. According to Clineburg, “It's not just local people [who come]. People come from all over—Annapolis, Washington, Baltimore.” Tickets may be purchased on-line, at specific stores, or at Granite Lodge on the day of the event and are good for two days. If you would like to learn more about Christmas in St. Michaels or would like to attend this year's Tour of Homes, visit christmasinstmichaels.org.
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