BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
As the month of December begins, members of the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center welcomed some pint-sized visitors into the building to kick off the holiday season.
No these weren’t elves, although they shared their holiday spirit. They were children from the site’s daycare.
“Today we worked with Stars and Stripes Learning Center here at HDIFC to come together and do some caroling – get us in the Christmas spirit and make crafts for our beautiful Christmas tree that we have,” said Tiffany Schmidt the chief of Battle Creek’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
HDIFC employees looked on as the children sang seasonal staples “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” for the crowd. After the caroling, the preschoolers counted down for the HDIFC’s holiday tree lighting.
The children finished up their day with ornament arts and crafts in the Palm Garden room.
The day was like a field trip according to the Executive Director of Young Child Associates Learning Center Angie Torres.
“They have been practicing their songs,” said Torres. “The crafts were something new and they loved it. All the kids are wearing green and red to start off December with the holiday spirit.”
Afterwards, the children’s ornaments were placed onto the HDIFC tree to serve as decoration for the remainder of the holiday season.
Due to COVID restrictions this event was put on hold during 2020 but was able to resume this year and a small audience was able to witness the festivities.