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Fund to install Christmas lights

LIGHTING UP THE SEASON — The McDonald Area Redevelopment Association has begun a community improvement fundraising drive to install Christmas lights in the borough’s downtown area. The group hopes to raise a total of $25,000 to install lighting infrastructure and Christmas lights on Lincoln Avenue and McDonald Street.

LIGHTING UP THE SEASON -- The McDonald Area Redevelopment Association has begun a community improvement fundraising drive to install Christmas lights in the borough's downtown area. The group hopes to raise a total of $25,000 to install lighting infrastructure and Christmas lights on Lincoln Avenue and McDonald Street.

LIGHTING UP THE SEASON — The McDonald Area Redevelopment Association has begun a community improvement fundraising drive to install Christmas lights in the borough’s downtown area. The group hopes to raise a total of $25,000 to install lighting infrastructure and Christmas lights on Lincoln Avenue and McDonald Street.

MCDONALD — Downtown McDonald has been dark for three years.

The holiday lighting that had been part of the borough’s downtown since the 1950s was severely damaged after a truck struck a utility pole and borough officials discovered the system was too old and unsafe to be repaired. It would have to be completely replaced, and the cost estimate was $35,000.

The borough didn’t have the funds to dedicate to Christmas lights, so downtown went dark — but it didn’t go unnoticed.

“People missed the lights,” Tim Thomassy, McDonald Area Redevelopment Association member said. “There was a lot of commentary on ‘why wasn’t there lights?'”

The association has assisted the borough with several community projects, including the refurbishment of the McDonald Trail Station and the establishment of the Barr Street parking lot. With the association’s interest in community improvement and beautification, tackling the Christmas lights was a logical choice.

The association approached the borough council for approval, and the borough approved the project — and budgeted $4,000 toward the system’s replacement. The association has pledged $5,000 from its some of its fundraising efforts, including pancake breakfasts and Election Day bake sales, and volunteered to raise the remainder of the funds through a community fundraiser.

The group has begun fundraising for the first phase of the project, which will replace the electrical infrastructure, establish three power distribution relays and purchase enough lights for the “four corners” — the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and McDonald Street, Thomassy said.

The group hopes to raise the month by the end of September so the first phase can be completed by November and the holiday season. The lighting will be LED, which will save the borough on electric costs and be brighter than traditional bulbs. The group hopes to raise approximately $4,500 through the community.

The association has been working with Steve Kashmer of Valley Electric Co. of Imperial on the project and has obtained tentative approval from West Penn Power.

As more funding comes in, the lighting will be extended, with the hope that the entirety of Lincoln Avenue in the borough can be lit, as well as several blocks of McDonald Street both north and south of the intersection, Thomassy said.

The project has the support of the downtown businesses, he added.

“We’ve talked to several (business owners), and they’ve been very supportive,” Thomassy said. “We have gotten some generous contributions from the business community.”

The McDonald Area Redevelopment Association has established a visitor’s center, historical exhibits and rental hall space in the trail station, as well as sponsoring several community events, including the farmers market and breakfast with Santa. The association also has contributed to local parks, School Bell Plaza, welcome signs and garden spots at entrances to the borough and historical markers for Jay Livingston and the oil fields. The group also works closely with the borough and McDonald Fire Department on community improvement projects.

Donations to the project may be sent to MARA, PO Box 152, McDonald, PA 15057. Checks should be made out to MARA Christmas Lights. Donations are tax deductible, and documentation can be provided to those who make donations.

The Christmas Lights Committee includes Chair Thomassy, Dale Csonka, Marilyn Gilbert, Brian Merlino, Ray Miller, Mike Schaal, Gloria Stroop, Alice Thomassy and Ruth Anne Williams.

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