Georgia Southern University Invites Community to Decorate Trees, Help Children

September 30, 2009

The community is invited to show its holiday spirit when Georgia Southern University hosts its second annual Festival of Trees Nov. 16-21.

Local businesses, community groups, and individuals are invited to decorate Christmas trees to be raffled for local charities Toys for Tots and Christmas in the Boro/Bulloch. In 2008, the University’s first Festival of Trees raised over $1,000 for these charities.

Anyone is welcome to donate or display a decorated artificial tree three to seven feet tall to represent their company, group or family. As part of the fundraiser, the fee for display-only decorated trees is based on each tree’s height. There is no charge for donating a decorated tree for raffle or for displaying a wreath or gingerbread house.

All tree decorators must confirm their commitment no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30.

Donated holiday trees and wreathes will decorate the Nessmith-Lane Continuing Education Building’s atrium through the week-long festival. The primary corporate sponsor is Lowe’s, whose Statesboro store has donated 10 seven-foot-tall trees.

The festival will conclude Saturday, Nov. 21 with a day of entertainment for all ages and the raffle drawing for the donated trees. Each pre-lit tree will be collected by its raffle-prize winner later in the month, decorations and all.

For more information about the Festival of Trees or to participate, contact Kelly Pye at the Continuing Education Center at 912-478-7977 or visit http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted.