These Christmas trees combine it all for annual community charity fund

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

From the tacky to the traditional to the prize-laden, decorated Christmas trees in 14 Wing Greenwood’s Festival of Trees do one thing really well: they raise money for the base’s Combined Charities Fund. “Of all the duties I have, this is the one where you know you’ve accomplished something,” says event organizer Cpl. Randy Stevenson.

He’s also the deputy chairman of the Combined Charities Fund, which raises about $100,000 every year from pay allotments, squadron and unit fundraising and big events, like the Festival of Trees. “This is the fifth annual event - is started when the wife of the chief warrant officer saw it in Cold Lake and brought it here. We had 50 trees that first year.”

The festival asks individuals, base units, local businesses, community groups - “everyone’s welcome,” Stevenson says - to decorate a three-foot artificial tree. “Everyone jumps in wholeheartedly, and it’s grown so that some units on base even put in four or five trees,” Stevenson says.

He admits there is a competitive element - “You should see the real estate agents’ trees!”

Still, the search and rescue squadron’s orange-painted tree with flagging tape and flares gets its share of bids once the auction opens.

After the evening tree-decorating party Nov. 21 - with “killer clam chowder” and goodies from the mess, Stevenson says; the public is invited in Nov. 22 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and again Nov. 23 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to view the trees and make a bid. The top bidder wins the tree - and everything on and under it. “People are amazed - shocked! We have a hairdresser that puts $1,500 in coupons on her tree. The top tree last year was the hot tub place’s: there was a 24-foot aboveground pool with it, and it went for $2,800!”

Stevenson’s own unit did a tool tree last year; this year, it’s kitchen-themed. The 14 Wing Clubs and Recreation Services’ tree this year will feature certificates for all kinds of memberships, lessons and activities offered by base groups. There are 68 trees registered so far for this year’s event; Stevenson is aiming for 100.

Along with the tree display and auction, there are all kinds of other activities: childcare services, a popcorn machine, family photos by 14 Wing Imaging, a bake table, music and entertainment and a small bar area. Admission is free. “We want everyone to come - there are lots of signs to get you to the Annapolis Mess, there are no uniforms, it’s truly a joint effort between the military and the community.”

Stevenson says the base population decided a number of years ago to disburse its Combined Charities Fund within the local community. Some of the funds raised by units are tagged for specific charities - Stevenson's group supports the Children’s Wish Foundation; while non-allocated funds are shared between local hospitals, transportation services, school and community food programs and many others. “We live here, and this is what the fund is all about: helping the groups in our community.”

To decorate a tree, contact Stevenson at 765-1494, ext 3648 or email stevenson.RA2@forces.gc.ca.