Holidays on the Hill

  • Published
  • By Sarah Stoll
  • Hilltop Times Correspondent
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  More than 800 people from the Hill Air Force Base community enjoyed the Holidays on the Hill celebration.

The Arts & Crafts building parking lot was filled with fun activities, treats, guests and more.

Cheers of excitement rippled through the crowd as Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in on an Air Force fire truck to help Col. Ronald Jolly, 75th Air Base Wing commander, and children flip on the lights for the Team Hill holiday tree. Inside, holiday stories were read and crafts were made.

Children had the opportunity to create ornaments for decoration with glitter, pom poms and foam. Cookies and hot chocolate kept the the crowds warm warm and energized for the night of fun where Operation Homefront generously provided free gifts for excited children.

Puzzles, games, dolls, stuffed animals, crafting supplies and more filled tables for children to choose from. Also enjoyed at the event were the annual Holiday Card Lane displays.

The cards were placed on Balmer Street this year, in front of the Warrior Fitness Center, for increased exposure.

"Twenty groups participated in the annual Holiday Card Lane at Hill AFB, an annual tradition of placing large lawn signs with holiday greetings along the roadside to spread holiday cheer," said Barbara McConvill, marketing director.

On Dec. 3, leadership from the 75th Air Base Wing including Jolly, Col. Thad Hill 75th Mission Support Group Commander and Chief Master Seargeant Rhonda Miller, 75th ABW command chief, judged the cards on originality, squadron and division creativity and technical aspects.

The 2014 card lane winner is the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

New to the competition this year is a People's Choice Award. Anyone from Team Hill can vote for their favorite card. The winner will receive a photo memento for their office.

Ballots are available at the Warrior Fitness Center front desk and the competition will be open through Dec. 24.

For questions about voting for the People's Choice Award, call 801-777- 2084.