By MIKE CAPUTO
:
"Why doesn't the church put Christmas lights on the tree anymore?"
The tall tree in front of the United Methodist Church of East Meadow stood light-less for three consecutive holiday seasons. Neighbors and church-goers took notice.
"It stands out," said Wood, a parish official. "The community likes to see it lit up."
The tree was planted in 1982 as a memorial for two Woodland Middle School students, Michael Capozzi and David Levinton, who died in a bus accident that year.
"It was a memorial and it was devastating that we couldn't light it up," said Seymour, another parish leader.
As expected, the tree, which stands in front of the building on East Meadow Avenue, grew over the years. It grew so rapidly that it became a hardship for church officials to decorate the tree each year.
"It's amazing how these things grow," Wood said. "It grew beyond what we expected." Ladders were not tall enough for the 35-foot evergreen. Ropes and pulleys never worked. Even the fire department did not have an appropriate bucket truck to complete the job.
After two years without a lighted tree, the church made what Seymour described as a "desperate" move. Last December, the church resorted to temporarily placing a small Christmas tree next to the towering memorial plant.
The size difference was comical, Wood said. "It was like Charlie Brown's tree," he joked.
With a limited church budget, Seymour and Wood sought help from Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes. Hudes then called upon Bob Vecchi of JHS Electric in North Bellmore. Vecchi and his crew surveyed the tree and determined that its truck was tall enough to decorate the tree. Vecchi offered his company's services to the church for free.
"It was a good opportunity to do something nice for the community," said Vecchi, an active member of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce known for helping various local causes.
Hudes, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Vecchi joined Seymour, Wood and several church members for the light installation Dec. 1. After a brief ceremony, Vecchi and his crew positioned their truck and installed the lights.
To the delight of parishioners, the church held a tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening, Dec. 5.
"Supervisor Murray and I felt it was very important for this particularly meaningful Christmas tree to light up the holiday season for the East Meadow community," Hudes said. "We were glad to offer our assistance in ensuring that a joyous tree lighting ceremony could take place at the United Methodist Church."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
