PREECEVILLE — The annual Festival of Trees encouraged individuals to take the time to appreciate what’s special during the busy Christmas season, said Amanda Balyski, a church member.
The trees, brightly lit and hand-decorated in different themes, lined the walls of Trinity United Church in Preeceville from Dec. 9 to 11. The trees were surrounded by Christmas music, hot apple cider and warm fellowship in a tranquil setting, all geared toward enjoying the Christmas season. Church volunteers provided the snacks.
“The event was wonderful with 21 trees decorated by local businesses, groups, and individuals,” stated Lori Wolowski and Sheila Ivanochko, this year’s organizers.
The Trinity United Church may have hosted the event, but it would have been impossible without the support of the community, businesses and groups.
“Groups who enjoyed the opportunity to view the trees were all students from the Preeceville School, and residents from the Preeceville LTC and the Preeceville Personal Care Home,” the duo said.
Businesses and individuals who decorated a Christmas tree that was on display during the three days included:
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Preeceville Home Hardware, with donations going toward the Preeceville Legion
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Preeceville School, with donations going toward the school’s athletics program
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Whitehawk Arts Council, with a tree decorated with CDs from past performers and donations allotted toward council projects
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Trinity United Church, with donations directed toward Assiniboine River Hope Mission
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Lori Wolowski, with donations going toward the Heart Beats Children’s Society, which supports children with heart disease
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Preeceville Long-Term Care, which collected donations for recreation activities and other charities
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Preeceville and District Heritage Museum, with donations collected for museum projects
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1 2 3 Care For Me of Sturgis, with donations allotted toward the centre’s projects and to support play and learning
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Blake, Josh and Erin Erickson of Preeceville, who decorated a tree in blue for Juvenile Diabetes (T1D)
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Preeceville Royal Canadian Legion, featuring veteran photographs and traditional Canadian flags and colours, with funds collected for Legion projects
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Grace United Church, which collected donations for Assiniboine River Hope Mission
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Preeceville Nursery School, whose tree showcased decorations made by its students
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Amber, Hailey and Rebecca Spray from Hazel Dell, who decorated a tree in acknowledgement of Saskatchewan 4-H
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Paul’s Drugstore in Preeceville, which featured a unique tree designed as a spiral staircase with the family’s monarch, Claire Paul, positioned at the top
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Miles and Anna Russell of Preeceville, who decorated two small trees and collected silent auction funds for the Indspire charity; the trees were also part of the silent auction
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Eugene Kennedy, who displayed a wreath with donations going toward Trinity United Church; the wreath was also part of the silent auction
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Preeceville Personal Care Home, which featured a tree decorated with residents’ photographs
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Buchanan and Preeceville Art Group, whose tree featured ornaments created by its members; the ornaments were also for sale, with donations going to STARS
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Family Resource Centre, which displayed ornaments created by children, with donations going toward the centre’s Drop In and Play program
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Phyllis Verbeck, who displayed a tree with donations going toward MS
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Crossroads Credit Union, which decorated a tree in its featured colours
