NILES — Every year, the Niles Service League creates a brand-new Christmas ornament inspired by the Niles and Buchanan communities that they serve. The design of the newest season’s ornament remains a secret, until it is revealed at the Apple Festival, where they will be sold to raise proceeds for the charity organization.

This year, marks the 21st ornament debut. It will be modeled after a downtown landmark.

For residents of Niles and Buchanan, this yearly tradition is more than ornamental.

Tammy Kelley, the president of the Niles Service League, said people are pretty passionate about collecting the 3-D ornaments, which are made from crushed marble and hand painted. Only a limited number of each edition are sold, and they typically go fast. The charity also does not re-sell older models.

“Once they are gone, they are gone,” Kelley said. “The people that really collect these things are really on top of it, because they knew we only sell a certain amount.”

This year, she said supplies are even more limited, and the service league will sell only 120 of the coveted ornaments.

Among the most popular, Kelley said people really seemed to like the ornament that was modeled after the Niles River Santa, a local tradition where Santa, his sleigh and reindeer are set afloat on the St. Joseph River behind Lakeland Hospital. Other ornaments have been modeled after the Chapin Mansion, Niles Scream Park and Redbud Motocross.

Because of the signature landmarks they are designed after, Kelley said many people who buy them will send them to their relatives who might live out of state, but have ties to Niles.

“I love to listen to [customers] tell me where all these ornaments are going,” Kelley said. “I think that’s why people like them, they are Niles and Buchanan and that’s it.”

Those who purchase the $30 ornament will be doing more than finding a Christmas decoration or present to put under the tree, they will also be helping to support the Niles Service League’s efforts to aid local youth.

The Niles Service League was founded 85 years ago with the aim to help improve the lives of local children. The organization raises money for students in Niles, Buchanan and Brandywine school districts. Through their efforts, the Niles Service League funds the purchase of coats and winter gear, which is distributed to children whose families cannot afford warm clothing. The organization also adopts a number of local families during the holiday season and distributes college scholarship, as well as a number of other projects.

“We serve local children,” Kelley said. “That’s what the selling of these ornaments go to: Christmas families, boots and scholarships and all to local kids.”

While the Niles Service League’s annual Color Fun Run, raises the most proceeds, Kelley said ornament sales typically bring in $3,000 to $4,000.

She encouraged people interested in the ornaments to support the cause and get them while they can. 

“If you want them, you know where they are,” Kelley said.

To learn more about the Niles Service League, visit nilesserviceleague.org.

A few other retailers will carry remaining ornaments for details contact the Niles Service League.