Georgetown, Del., Dec. 8, 2008: ‘Tis the season for cold and bleak, but don’t tell that to the hundreds of holiday revelers who gathered to open their hearts, and their cupboards, for a cause 25 years in the making.

More than 300 carolers sang in the holiday season during the 25th annual Caroling on the Circle in Georgetown on Monday night, singing Spanish and traditional Christmas carols and helping to collect approximately 26,700 canned goods for the needy.

The event each year kicks off the holiday season for Sussex County, and serves as a community food drive at the same time. Started in 1984 as part of the Delaware First initiative, Caroling on The Circle continues to cheer hearts and help those in need 25 years later. To date, organizers estimate the community has donated more than 500,000 canned goods through the Caroling on The Circle program.

Monday night’s Caroling event, along with collections from Sussex County Council, County employees, numerous schools, groups and businesses, helped push the 25th annual event to another respectable total – eclipsing last year’s total by 5,700 items.

“Yet again, Sussex Countians have displayed great generosity and shown the true meaning of the holiday season,” County Administrator David B. Baker said. “These are tough economic times for many of us. But despite the hardship, so many Sussex Countians have come through, stepped up and lent a hand to their friends and neighbors. We’re thankful once again for Sussex Countians showing their support.”

Mr. Baker thanked the public and those in attendance, and acknowledged several participating groups. Those included County Council, County employees, American Portable Mini Storage, the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association, First State Manufactured Housing Association, Delaware Justice of the Peace Courts, Fuqua & Yori, Harley Davidson of Seaford, Lester Realty, PATS Aircraft, the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Association, Beacon Middle, Benjamin Banneker Elementary, Georgetown Elementary, H.O. Brittingham Elementary, Howard T. Ennis, Long Neck Elementary, Milton Elementary, North Georgetown Elementary, Selbyville Middle and Sussex Central Middle schools, and the Southern Delaware School of the Arts.

Items collected will be donated to approximately a dozen area pantries, shelters and church organizations for distribution within Sussex County.

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