Georgetown, Del., Nov. 2, 2009: Start warming up those vocal chords and picking through the kitchen cupboards. Sussex County needs your voice … and your canned veggies.

Sussex County Council next month will host the 26th annual Caroling on The Circle, to be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, in downtown Georgetown. Each year, the community singing event doubles as a food drive for the hungry and needy of Sussex County, drawing hundreds of residents – along with the support of area schools, businesses and civic organizations – who join to sing Christmas carols and collect canned goods for area pantries, churches and food banks.

In 2008, Caroling collected more than 26,000 items for nearly a dozen organizations.

County Administrator David B. Baker said so many people look forward to Caroling on The Circle each year because it literally represents an entire community coming together for one cause.

“We are very thankful for the kind of community support this event brings,” Mr. Baker said. “It’s an amazing feeling for all of us to see that outpouring every single year, especially during these tough economic times. The thousands of canned goods we collect each year are a clear sign of how important our citizens believe it is to help their less fortunate neighbors.”

As always, the historic Sussex County Courthouse and picturesque Circle will serve as the stage for an evening of traditional and Spanish carols, as well as a visit from Santa Claus. Local singing artists Ed Shockley and Kevin Short, joined by guitarist Keith Mack, the Sussex Central Middle School choir, and the El Centro Cultural group, will perform.

Following the festivities, free cookies and hot chocolate will be available for all to enjoy at the Georgetown Fire Company, one block south of The Circle.

The event is free to attend. Participants are asked simply to bring canned goods and other non-perishable food items for donation. Beginning Monday, Nov. 9, anyone who cannot attend this year’s Caroling event but who still wishes to contribute can drop off food items from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the County Administrative Offices building, next to the courthouse, in Georgetown.

Caroling on The Circle will be held regardless of weather. In the event of rain or snow, it will be moved inside the fire hall on South Bedford Street. For more information, call (302) 855-7700.

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