Lyons co-hosts Three Kings Festival with Commissioner Aguilar
Cook County Board Commissioner Frank Aguilar partnered with Lyons Village President Chris Getty on Friday (Jan. 6, 2023) to co-host the annual Three Kings Day commemoration.
The commemoration was celebrated by distributing wrapped new toys and gifts to young children of needy families in Lyons Township and the region.
The event was also co-sponsored by Toys for Tots Chicagoland, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Commissioner Aguilar, who represents the 16th District, thanked Mayor Getty and Lyons officials for their support, saying it was one of the biggest events he has hosted in many years.
The Three Kings Celebration was hosted at Aguilar’s district office in Lyons.
Over 50 families and 100 children were present, receiving toys, drinking hot chocolate, and eating Rosca de Reyes with fellow members of their community. Partnering with Commissioner Aguilar were Rincon Family Services, and Binational Institute, which distributed community resources and offered legal aid to residents. Also in attendance was Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, who spoke with attendees and joined Commissioner Aguilar for a media session.
“I’d like to thank Chicagoland Toys for Tots for helping make sure all children receive a toy this holiday season. I’d like to thank President Preckwinkle for her continued support for our residents and for being a true fighter for our district,” said Commissioner Aguilar.
“We must ensure that as elected officials, we build trust – trust with community organizations, trust with our residents, trust with other elected officials, to ensure our residents are able to access the resources they need to be successful. Thank you to all who attended and made this such a great event!”
Mayor Getty thanked Commissioner Aguilar and county officials who attended for their support of the community.
“I am very proud to have helped co-sponsor the Three Kings Celebration with Commissioner Aguilar and his office,” Getty said. “It is an important event and it does so much to help needy families.”
Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, celebrates the last of the twelve days of Christmas. The holiday celebrates the biblical tale in which the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, visit baby Jesus after his birth.
In keeping with the Chicano culture of many 16th District residents, Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread meant to represent a King’s crown that is a mile long, was also available for residents to enjoy. Children were able to receive toys as well, which were donated by Chicagoland’s Toys for Tots organization.
“I am proud to be in the 16th District to celebrate Three Kings Day,” said President Preckwinkle. “It is a holiday celebrated widely within Cook County communities and a time when children are given gifts to celebrate – while everyone enjoys some Rosca de Reyes. In that spirit, it is a joy to give to the children who need it most.”
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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