FOUNTAIN VALLEY : She Decks City Hall Through Donations

There are no Grinches at Fountain Valley City Hall.

Because of a tight budget and dwindling resources, Christmas decorations weren’t on the city’s spending list this year, said Donald L. Heinbuch, administrative services manager.

But that didn’t stop city employee Virginia Harter. Harter wanted to make City Hall more Christmasy.

“It just wouldn’t be Christmas without decorations,” said Harter, the city’s payroll manager.

So Harter asked her co-workers to chip in $3 apiece to deck the halls.

She raised $732, which bought garlands and red, green and gold lights to adorn the front entrance of City Hall.

The volunteer donations from full-time employees also bought 100 feet of lights for the Freedom Tree that stands outside City Hall. The tree has been decorated and lighted since 1973 in honor of prisoners of wars and soldiers missing in action.

The lobbies of the City Hall, Community Center and Police Department are festooned with decorations purchased in previous years, when the city’s treasury wasn’t as strapped.

But the Christmas giving didn’t stop with the Yuletide trimmings. City employees are also participating in toy drives for children and a food drive for needy families.

Residents who are interested in participating in the charitable programs, including Operation Santa Claus, Toys for Tots and Baby Buddies, can drop donations off at City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave.

And as for the decorations, Harter said the colorful lights have made City Hall brighter.

“Everybody says it looks great,” she said. “It makes a big difference. I think it’s lifted everybody’s spirit.”