Members of the community got into the holiday spirit at the annual Holiday Lights event on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Jodi Santino, the President of the Moorpark College Foundation, explains how the event is put on to raise funds for students.

“There isn’t a set goal (of how much money we want to raise), we’re just raising money for student scholarships,” said Santino.

Since 2011, the Moorpark College Foundation sets up Holiday Lights while the EATM program sets up their annual event Arctic Lights to raise money for their students, animals, and a local polar bear conservation center. Funds used to set up Holiday Lights came from local companies, board members, and other donors throughout the community.

Moorpark College Foundation administrator Alisa Jerman explains how community members’ donations will help illuminate the library.

“Everyday folks bought strands of lights as a donation,” said Jerman. “We also received a wonderful donation from the student board, which we are very grateful for.”

Arctic Lights is a two-day fundraising event for the EATM program that takes place at America’s Teaching Zoo. Starting at 11 a.m., over 200 attendees were able to enjoy real snow, train rides around the parking lot, and homemade baked goods.

An animal show took place twice a day during the event. After three costumed EATM students featured several types of animals avaliable at the zoo, several more EATM students joined them in a surprise flash mob.

22-year-old EATM student Shani Elder sold snacks during the event. She has seen how families enjoy what Arctic Lights has to offer.

“We did have a family come up and said it was their first time here and they wanted to come back,” said Elder.

As Arctic Lights ended at 5 p.m., the Holiday Lights Wind and Unwind event took place in the third floor of the library. There, attendees were treated to food and wine while the Ventura County Blues Society performed all throughout.

Also, attendees placed their bids on their desired items at the silent auction. Items up for auction included gift baskets, vacation packages, tickets to the Ventura County Blues Festival, and knitted beanies depicting the minions from the animated movie “Despicable Me.”

Interim President Bernard Luskin was among the attendees at Wine and Unwind. He explains how the weather helped the event fare better than it previously did..

“We’re lucky this year,” said Luskin. “Last year, we got rained out.”

Despite this, Vice President of Business Services Iris Ingram saw that there were not as many attendees at the Wind and Unwind as she anticipated.

“We probably don’t have as much of a turnout,” said Ingram. “It takes a while to get the word out.”

Over 30 people attended the Wine and Unwind, including Trustee Bernardo Perez. To him, the event’s cause is one worthy of attention.

“With the cost of education, students need more help today than when I was in school,” said Perez.

Ingram explains how scholarships benefit the students who receive them.

“That’s how students are able to go the school,” said Ingram. “[Holiday Lights] is an incredible function to assist students to begin and continue their education.”

Chancellor Jamillah Moore expresses her feelings on Holiday Lights purpose as a fundraising event.

“Anything we can do to support students is always a good thing,” said Moore. “It’s our mission as a community college.”

The night was concluded with the Holiday Lights Music Concert, which took place at the Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. There, the Moorpark Concert Choir and the Moorpark College Symphony Orchestra performed Handel’s “Messiah” and several Christmas carols. Afterwards, the Dance Department joined the Symphony Orchestra to perform selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Both segments of the show received standing ovations from the audience. 

Attendees watch the Moorpark College Choir perform Christmas carols at the Wind and Unwind. (Matthew Houchins)