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In Chicago, a local group has taken the age-old tradition of “decking the halls” to dazzling new heights by transforming entire neighborhoods for the holiday season. This spirited effort is led by the community organization My Block, My Hood, My City, which has mobilized volunteers to bring festive cheer to the South Side.
As part of their commitment to spreading holiday joy, these volunteers have been hard at work assisting homeowners along King Drive. The annual “Be a Part of the Light” event, organized by the group, has once again turned Chicago neighborhoods into bright and merry displays of holiday spirit.
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Among the dedicated volunteers is Barbara Martin, who pours her heart into ensuring every decoration is just right. Her motivation is simple yet profound.
“It makes me feel good, because a lot of times when you see this, it just brings joy to the Christmas spirit,” Martin expressed, capturing the essence of the season and the impact of this community-driven initiative.
“It makes me feel good, because a lot of times when you see this, it just brings joy to the Christmas spirit,” Martin said.
She and other members of their chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star were among the hundreds of volunteers helping put up Christmas decorations as a part of this year’s Be a Part of the Light event.
In it’s eighth year, the initiative by My Block, My Hood, My City hopes to spread joy and holiday spirit in often overlooked neighborhoods on the city’s South Side.
“So normally, you go on King Drive, you see police car lights and helicopter lights. Today, you’ll see holiday lights,” My Block, My Hood, My City founder Jahmal Cole said.
The goal is to decorate over 500 homes along a stretch of King Drive from 35th to 115th streets in communities like Chatham, Auburn Gresham and Greater Grand Crossing. It’s all done for free with the homeowner’s permission.
“It’s all beautiful,” homeowner Ruthie Marshall said. “I appreciate it very much much and just proud to be apart.”
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Volunteers come from all over the city to help. The Jumping Juniors Double Dutch team was there Saturday.
‘It gives us a chance to meet new people and become a part of part of a community you’re never a part of,” team member Taylor McKinney said.
Sisters Jennifer and Amy Buczkio also wanted to give back.
“This organization actually helped her mother get her covid vaccine and yes ever since then we’ve supported it,” she said.
Each group set out Saturday with a bin filled with holiday lights and decorations determined to transform a community.
When volunteers finish, many of them will come bac for community tree lightings and may even tour some of the houses that they decorated. They’re also being prepared for more volunteer work. They’ll be out in the neighborhood shoveling snow when the next blast comes through the city.
