Charity, love and fellowship are all virtues synonymous with the holiday season, but they were also synonymous with a young resident who sadly passed back in 2019.
While 13-year-old Ace Garate may not be with us in person following a tragic car accident two years ago, his memory lives on through the annual AceItUp Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and toy drive. The third installment of the charitable event took place Sunday evening and saw the square at Sixth and Merchant filled with warm-hearted individuals coming together to support the Garate family and the memory of Ace by contributing donations to St. Francis Ministries.
All donations will go to foster children served by the organization. Ace’s mother and event organizer Amy Garate says they are proud to support the work of St. Francis and to help bring some holiday cheer to children in need.
Among those on hand to lend assistance Sunday evening was Emporia Middle School Principal Steven Bazan. Bazan, who has lived in the Emporia community for the past five years, says care and compassion for others is a “hallmark” of the Emporia community.
The evening’s festivities also included a gingerbread house competition and caroling led by Emporia State sophomore Chloe Jackson and Emporia High School senior Grace Fianu. Jackson says she was very proud to be a part of the festivities and for the chance to help honor Ace’s memory.
Fianu says she appreciates the sense of community the event promotes.
Ace’s father Carlos Garate expressed his gratitude to the local community for their continued support and says seeing the level of generosity and compassion Ace’s memory instills in others is truly special.
Donation totals from AceItUp are currently pending.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
