A group of roughly 30 students from the University of New England gathered downtown Sunday to help string holiday lights along Main Street.
This is not the first year that students have stepped forward to help with the annual holiday decorations. It is now part of an annual tradition that began in 2017, according to Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford.
Over the past few days, other volunteers — from both La Kermesse and the Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center — have placed holiday wreaths and bows on the lampposts lining Main and Lincoln streets.
When asked why they volunteer, many of the students said it just felt like a fun thing to do. “We are part of this community, and this downtown is also our downtown,” said Tighe Archambault from Pepperell, Massachusetts. “It feels good to give back to the community.”
Sophomore Mady Denault is studying dental hygiene at UNE. She said helping string strands of lights in downtown Biddeford makes her feel more connected to the community and a bit more excited about the upcoming holiday season.
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 