Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Holiday trees provide scholarship money
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MARENGO — More than 20 residents and businesses created themed trees to raise money for the Wallace and Beverly Winkie Foundation during the weekend after Thanksgiving.
The Festival of Trees at Hope Lodge 175 awarded prizes to the top vote-getters and brought in money as the trees and other donated items were sold during a silent auction.
Lani Hawk and her family created five of the trees.
This was the third year for the Foundation’s Festival of Trees, said Hawk, “so word is starting to get out there.” The organization advertises the event in flyers and on Facebook.
Twenty-nine organizations, businesses and families decorated trees this year, said Hawk, a few more than last year.
The trees don’t have to be sold, said Hawk. Some people will take their trees home with them and donate baskets for the silent auction.
The trees can bring in a lot of money, said Hawk. Last year one tree — decorated with Stitch from the movie “Lilo and Stitch” — sold for almost $200.
The Hawks set up a Charlie Brown display and decorated five trees this year. Each year Hawk finds different themes, “just whatever pops into my head.”
She’ll walk through stores and see items that prompt ideas for trees. She also shops at Amazon.
“I’ve already started shopping for this year’s trees,” Hawk said.
This year’s pink ribbon tree was a memorial to breast cancer victims. “I know someone that passed from breast cancer,” said Hawk.
The pink tree was decorated with hearts, pink ribbon, keychains, breast cancer awareness wrist bands and bandannas.
The festival trees often have accompanying items, such as stuffed toys or blankets.
The Nightmare Before Christmas tree, based on the Tim Burton movie by the same name, was decorated with black balls and figures from the movie. Underneath the tree sat a Jack Skellington doll.
Little wood beer mug ornaments hung from the Cheers tree. Beer mugs were sold with the tree.
Another of Hawk’s pink trees was titled Pretty in Pink. Wrapped in pink lights, the tree was covered in hearts and snowflakes and had an accompanying blanket.
The Grinch tree sported green lights and Grinch ornaments and included a stuffed Grinch and a book.
Hawk spent between $60 and $80 on each tree. “It probably took a week for me to get everything put together.”
Hawk had help from her husband, daughter and son-in-law, she said.
Nettiannes Floral and Gifts donated a Night Before Christmas Tree complete with mice that were not stirring.
A Harry Potter tree included Harry Potter figures, and a tree titled Always With You was decorated with cardinals.
A father and daughter decorated a tree for a very meowy Christmas.
Among those donating trees were UnityPoint Belle Plaine, the Tea Ladies, the Winke Family, Belle Plaine Specialty Care, Athletic, Benton County Volunteer Center, The Regel Fritillary, Hrabak-Neuhaus Funeral Service, Benton County 4-H, Benton County Extension, FurnitureWorks, Belle Plaine Food Pantry, Virginia Gay Hospital, the First Lutheran Sunday School, One of a Kind Design and County Foods.
Some businesses donated items for sale rather than decorating trees.
The Festival of Trees always takes place during Belle Plaine’s Holiday Homecoming, said Hawk, which was also Small Business Saturday.
The proceeds from the event will pay for scholarships for nontraditional students.
