The 15th annual KUU-US Crisis Line Society Festival of Trees is now underway.
Each year, local merchants, organizations and families are invited to decorate a Christmas tree, which is then donated to a needy family.
“We have different agencies in the community, such as the Bread of Life and the Salvation Army, that give us names each year,” said KUU-US executive director Elia Nicholson-Nave.
Each year, Kirkpatrick’s Christmas Trees provides the trees at a significant discount, in a range of sizes according to the space requirements of the recipient families. Sponsors provide the decorations and KUU-US provides a stand.
This year, the trees will be displayed at two uptown locations, Animal Ark Pet Store and Merit Furniture Warehouse on Third Avenue, and outside the KUU-US complex on Johnston Road. The public is invited to vote for their favourite tree at the KUU-US office, 4589 Adelaide, from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kirkpatrick’s will deliver the trees on Dec. 7, with the help of a team from Canada World Youth. Sponsors will decorate the trees on Dec. 8 and they will remain on display until Dec. 15.
On that day, KUU-US volunteers will remove and pack up all decorations, and the entire package, including the stand, will be delivered to the recipient family in a van provided by Budget Truck and Car Rental.
“In the past, we used to transport the tree, fully decorated, on the stand, but we found out that was taking a lot of the fun away for the families,” Nicholson-Nave said. “The great thing is, next year, they have these beautiful decorations and the stand, and all they need is the tree.”
Each year, KUU-US also provides food hampers and gifts to each family. For more information contact KUU-US Crisis Line Society at their non-emergency number, 250-723-2323.
