Miracle on Main
Miracle on Main event, Zelienople's major holiday celebration slated three days this week, is more important than ever.
“It's all about bringing hope for Christmas, especially this year more than ever,” said Donna Ziegler, the event's creator. “We probably have given away over 400 coats in the past few years. This is the third year. And we've given away 20 living room sets to families in need, mostly single moms, which I think is amazing.”
Running Thursday and Friday evening and Saturday, the festivities will include Mrs. Claus waving to children, cookie decorating and live reindeer.
Of course, some changes will be made. The live reindeer and Nativity scene will be in Four Corners Park this year, and will be drive-through events. Decorations of cookies will not happen on Main Street, either.
“Instead, they're going to get an un-iced cookie with icing and sprinkles and everything to take home with them,” Ziegler noted.
An elf with Mrs. Claus will distribute the cookies.
The Main Street celebration wouldn't be complete without something to satiate the sense of hearing.
“We'll have different carolers and things like that up on the balcony of Kaufman Tavern at different times on Thursday night,” she said.
In addition to the celebratory events, the giveaway of free coats and the donation of a six-piece living room set to families in need, organizers also plan on giving backpacks full of food to children yet again.
“They told us stories of so many neglected children, mainly because of drugs, and these are things they can make themselves so they won't go hungry,” Ziegler said. “Especially now, when schools are not in and they can't get a hot lunch at school, we can make sure they get something nutritious.”
Ziegler acknowledged that Zelienople stores would likely still have a mini version of the now-annual celebration, but said the rush to plan the event will provide more opportunities for those in need to get the supplies — and the sense of hope — for which they are wanting.
“I'm pretty sure that, unless something drastic happens, there are changes but ... it should still happen,” she said. “It took some work, but what we're trying to do is eliminate things that they think they'd absolutely say no to.”
