SOUTH DEERFIELD — Today is the dropoff deadline for Christmas trees to support the Rotary Club of Franklin County’s Festival of the Trees, which raises money for Warm the Children.
At Yankee Candle Company’s flagship store on Routes 5 and 10 Thursday, just after 2 p.m., representatives from local businesses could be seen dropping off decorated trees. The candle company will host this year’s Festival of the Trees, which runs weekends, noon to 5 p.m., from Saturday through Dec. 18.
Among the Christmas tree donors, Kelly Bowman and her son, Shawn Bowman, brought a tree from Trademark Real Estate.
“We’re always looking for something community service related,” Kelly Bowman said, before they brought their tree into Yankee Candle’s fitness center — where members of the local Kiwanis Club, which partnered with the Rotarians, were helping organize the trees into rows.
“This is Pierce Brothers’ Coffee tree,” said Sean Pierce, representing the coffee business, as he hung a few coffee samples on his tree’s branches and wrapped a burlap bag that formerly held coffee beans around its base. Pierce added, ”we’re honored to be here, and we’re happy to support the cause.”
“Right now, 41,” said Steve Chamberlin, a member of the Kiwanis, about how many trees had been donated. “We’re gonna end up around 65. For a first year, that’s fantastic.”
All the proceeds go toward The Recorder’s Warm the Children campaign.
According to the Rotary Club’s president, Franklin Schwerin, sponsors “donate an artificial tree, lights and decorations. Gifts under the tree are optional. Sponsors will set up the trees and decorate them,” before delivering them to Yankee Candle.
Beginning Saturday, the trees will be publicly displayed for an admission price of $10 for adults, and $5 for children. Chamberlin said admission comes with 20 raffle tickets, which event-goers can use to try to win a tree.
On Dec. 19, the Monday after the final weekend, winning raffle tickets will be drawn.
“It’s a great program that matches what both our clubs are about,” said Kiwanian Kevin LaMagdelaine, who brought The Recorder’s tree to the candle store Thursday.
Next to LaMagdelaine, Ericka Almeida and Jennifer Webster, representatives from Big Brothers, Big Sisters, also set up a tree.
“Many children we serve, they serve,” Webster said about why the organization donates to Warm the Children. “It’s vital to our agency to support (other programs) … it’s very valuable to us.”
On Friday, Almeida said her son’s band, the 4 Rivers Charter School alternative rock group Raspberry Jam, will perform during the festival’s Tree Lighting Gala, which starts at 6 p.m. and is invitation-only.
“We’re going to have all the sponsors come down here,” Chamberlin said, explaining that all the lights will be shut off before the trees are lit.
Those interested in sponsoring trees or otherwise donating to the tree event can contact April Healey, who’s helping to organize the event, at 413-695-3207 or ahealey@bankgcb.com.
Warm the Children is an effort by the The Recorder, Wilson’s Department Store and Community Action to provide local children in need with new winter clothing,
To donate directly to Warm the Children, send a check to: Warm the Children, c/o The Recorder, P.O. Box 1367, Greenfield, MA 01302. New clothing may also be dropped off at The Recorder, at 14 Hope St., any time during the year.