Barrhead’s annual Festival of Trees has continued to grow since its start in 2010, and this year was no exception.
The event, put on by the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce, held a Christmas Market and Craft Sale on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30, then a Christmas Gala Saturday night.
The gala was a sold out event, where the community came for a meal, entertainment, and a fundraising auction. This year, there were 20 beautiful and festive donations of trees, wreathes and other Christmas items up for bid.
Chamber treasurer and chair of the Festival of Trees committee Deb Schembri said the gala was a great success. And why wouldn’t she—the event raised $33, 215.34 for local charities this year.
This year’s top selling tree was Danni Gravel’s of Renew Restore Revive Massage Therapy, which sold for $2,550.
The second place tree, donated by the Town of Barrhead, sold twice and raised a total of $2,500. It was first bought by Northplex, who had no way of getting it home. It was going to be donated to Sparrows Hope, however there was no way of getting it there either.
The tree was donated back to the auction, where it was bought for a second time by Gerry and Doreen St. Pierre. They also had no way of taking the tree home, so it was given to Elaine Dickie to put the Barrhead Public Library or elementary school.
“So it’s in the school now,” laughed Schembri. “Realistically that’s what it’s all about, giving the money to the charity. It’s not about taking something home with you.
The third best-selling tree was donated by the “Pharmanuts” at Rita’s Apothecary &Home Healthcare, which sold for $2,100.
Five separate donations were made with the funds: $9,300 went to Barrhead’s new aquatic centre, $3,100 to the Tree of Hope, $8,350 to Sparrow’s Hope, $2,750 to Ripple Connection, and $5,750 to Barrhead FCSS.
Schembri said every charity the committee had on their list of suggestions got something. There wasn’t one that they had to leave out. In fact, thanks to the Town of Barrhead’s tree selling twice, $1,100 was also donated to the 4-H clubs.
Members of the 4-H clubs in the Barrhead district helped set up at the gala, seated everyone, bussed tables, ran the coat check, and helped the Chamber clean up afterwards.
The money donated to the club will go towards sustaining their 4-H scholarship fund, which is given to one 4-H member every year based on their dedication and involvement with their club.
“It really always does amaze me how giving people are in this community. I love that about Barrhead,” said Schembri. “Despite everything that’s going on right now in our economy and in our town, people are still willing to help other people at this time of year.”
The final number was over twice the amount of last year’s event, which raised just over $15,000. So what changed?
Schembri said she doesn’t really know. It is in no way because the people who attended this year were more generous than those who went last year. However, Schembri said she thinks the word may have spread about the Chamber’s goal with the gala.
“I think people just were more aware this year of what we were trying to do,” she said. “I really think that the whole idea of giving back to our charities in this form is catching on.”
A date for next year’s Festival of Trees has been chosen, so mark Nov. 28 and 29 on your calendars. Schembri said the committee has already received three tree donation commitments for next year, and they are looking for volunteers at all times.
“We’re hoping that next year it’ll be even bigger,” said Schembri. “If not bigger, we want to at least sustain it.”
People who attended the Christmas Market and Craft Fair, which saw between 600 and 800 people this year, had the opportunity to vote on the trees and wreathes for the People’s Choice Award.
First place went to Barrhead Animal Rescue Society, second place to Stephani Motors, and third to Renew Restore Revive Massage Therapy.
Schembri said she would like to thank her fellow Festival of Trees committee members Shelly Christianson, Edie Zdrodowski, Inge DeHert, CJ Bennett, Leanne Schneider, and Elaine Dickie for doing another fantastic job this year.
Anyone interested in volunteering or donating to next year’s event can call Deb Schembri at 780-305-5057.
