NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's Christmas tree has a unique decoration this year: a 220-foot paper chain.

 

The large red and green chain twists around the tree a couple of times, from the bottom all the way to the top.

 

This distinctive creation was made by Brayton Elementary sixth- and seventh-graders who presented the chain to Mayor Richard Alcombright on Wednesday, just in time for the tree's lighting that evening. 

 

It was made by linking strips of laminated construction paper with individual holiday messages on each one.

 

"It is one of those things that really warms your heart when you see the kids in the community come together to make something that the whole community can enjoy," Alcombright said  on receiving the holiday decoration. "It really is a testament to their commitment and the commitment of the staff here."

 

Teacher Jim Morris said he along with teachers Donna Sadlowski and James Holmes aided the students with the project.

 

"We wanted to do a community service project and we thought the Christmas tree on Main Street would look nice with something like this so we got the ball rolling," Morris said. 

 

Holmes said about 22 children were involved.

 

"It was quite the project and we needed a bunch of kids just to move it," he said. "We had to weave it up the staircase like a snake."

 

Sixth-grader Skyler Sprague said the teachers cut each student a few links to write a special holiday message on.

 

"The teachers got us some nice paper and they cut it up and we all wrote something nice on it for the holiday," Skyler said. "We put it in a chain to give to the city so we can give back to them for everything they have done for us."

 

Seventh-grader Havana Thompson said she was surprised how quick they completed the chain. 

 

"We all worked really hard but it only took us a couple of days because we worked very diligently," she said. "We worked together and we got it done."

 

Superintendent Barbara Malkas thanked the students for their work and said she looked forward to seeing the chain on the tree outside of her office window on Main Street.

 

"In our office, we will be able to look out of the window this holiday season and see all of this well wishes that you created for the entire community so give yourselves a pat on the back," she said. "You all deserve it." 

 

The chain was in place on Wednesday evening for the traditional lighting and arrival of Santa Claus.