Marie’s son Natanael as Seymour.

North Shore Bank helped kick off the holiday festivities properly on Candy Cane Lane with a $2,514 donation on opening night, bringing the grand total raised by the West Allis neighborhood lights display to $3 million since 1985.

“The night was fun and very busy,” reported Forest Home assistant branch manager Marie Cruz, whose son Natanael played Seymour Savings for part of the evening. “In fact, it was busier than last year! I believe people wanted to get out of their houses and enjoy family time, due to covid. It was a fun night!”

Natanael, Marie, and her other son, Tomas Jr., with the donation check.

Other employees who helped out were Southwest teller Lorenzo Babbo, personal banker Shannan Mahloch, Southridge area branch manager Carolyn Lyrenmann and husband Jeremy, and teller Kelly Doucette. Southwest branch manager Joline Lazarski spearheaded the volunteer efforts! We’ll have more photos from Candy Cane Lane next week.

Funds raised by Candy Cane Lane go to the MACC Fund, which fights childhood cancer. Seymour will be back there again on Friday, December 11, for Mascot Night — he’ll be joined by mascots from other area organizations. For more information, look here.