BUILDING A TREE — Abby LeMasters, left, and Lish Troski unfurled one of the many branches of the 18-foot tree they and other volunteers with Inspire Toronto collected near the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets. The location is where the group, formerly known as the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization, will hold a family-oriented Christmas event on Nov. 30. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — With a new name for their group, volunteers with the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization will hold two Christmas events next week: One very familiar to Gem City residents and another aimed at offering some holiday cheer to area families.

The group’s leaders — Abby LeMasters, Lish Troski and Toni Moreland — recently gathered with several other volunteers to assemble the 18-foot artificial Christmas tree that stands near the corner of North Fourth and Clark streets.

It was one of many preparations the group made for a Christmas lights evening to be held at the site from 5pm to 9pm on November 30.

The three are quite excited about the new event while looking forward to continuing a Toronto tradition of lighting candles in memory of loved ones at the Gazebo Commons near North Third and Market Streets.

Dubbed Night of Remembrance, that event will be held at 7pm on Tuesday and will feature music.

With the cooperation and support of Clarke Funeral Home and JE Foster Funeral Home, the names of loved ones who have died since last year will be read.

Over the years, many have gathered in the gazebo and park, which is decorated for Christmas by another volunteer group, the Toronto Beautification Committee.

LeMasters, Troski and Moreland, all local business owners, said since taking over the coalition from George Komar this summer, they have wanted to offer another Christmas event with activities for children.

They said except “fair play” and an appearance by Santa, Christmas Light-up Night will feature appearances by a magician and dueling pianos, food trucks and a vendor market.

LeMasters said the vendors will include nonprofit groups hoping to raise money for their causes as well as local dealers of crafts and other items.

She added that businesses along North Fourth Street have been encouraged to stay open during the event.

LeMasters said the city partnered with his group to provide the tree, which is about 21 feet tall with a large star on top, while many local businesses have contributed to other aspects of the event.

The group is offering a new event and adopting a new name: Inspire Toronto.

The three felt that a new identity was needed and sat down to think about what would best suit their goals.

“We had a brainstorming session. We threw out a lot of words about wanting to be our targets.” Troski said.

She said Inspire Toronto was ultimately chosen because they want to inspire the whole community to come together.

Moreland said the change hasn’t become official yet, as the group continues to use the coalition’s name on its Facebook page and elsewhere.