Bedford Hills Tree Lighting Back On

For the second time in as many months a hamlet of the town of Bedford is celebrating the generosity of its community in bringing light to its holiday celebration.

First, residents of Katonah contributed  toward its tree lighting ceremony costs, after rising event expenses threatened  its Christmas tree.

In Bedford Hills, funding needs were smaller, but the singular gesture was big-hearted. 

Community members have gathered each December for over a decade to see the spruce light up Depot Plaza, but after learning that they would have to pay $758 in police overtime to help man the event, the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association and the Bedford Hills Chamber of Commerce, which has organized the event the last ten years, 

When the news of the cancellation reached Robison Oil President David Singer—the man who saved the day—last Friday afternoon, he said his first thought was "unacceptable."

Then he received an email from the BHNA, confirming what he had heard. He immediately replied to Whitney Serrell Barbera, association secretary, and said he wanted to help.

It was amazing, said Barbera. "He didn't even know how much we needed, and he offered," she said.

Singer said he couldn't imagine the season getting off to a start without the tree lighting to launch it. "It would seem peculiar—and I'm Jewish," he said, going on to note that the lights brought cheer to residents no matter which religion they practiced.

The $760 donation will come from Robison Oil, which has offices in Elmsford and Mt. Kisco, and many customers in Bedford Hills, where Singer lives.

Janet Jacobsen, BHNA president, said that Singer would light the tree at the ceremony, to take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 4:30. There will be caroling and refreshments.

"We're thrilled, obviously, that it's going to happen," she said. "I guess it's good, too, that some of the issues are out in the open now about the municipal costs of the events, and we hope they are worked on before next year," she said.

Singer said he was happy to be a part of the event that he believes builds community in the hamlet.

"We're making a lot of sacrifices now based on finances," he said. "It wouldn't be right if this were one of them."