Deck the Trees breaks record in 2020
Annual fundraiser brings in $36,000 for SVCM Fuel Fund
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
January 5, 2021
The Black Mountain Fire Department entry in the 2020 Deck the Trees was one of four winners announced in the 10th annual Deck the Trees. The BMFD tree raised more money for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund than any of the other 15 trees in the Monte Vista Hotel. Photo by Fred McCormick
Deck the Trees responded to the many challenges of 2020 by changing its format. The community responded by giving a record amount of money to the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund.
Organizers of the annual fundraiser announced the winners of this year’s contest, which featured 35 entries spread out between the historic Monte Vista Hotel and businesses throughout the Valley, raising more than $36,000 to help keep local families warm through the winter months.
“You made Deck the Trees happen,” the committee and chair Libba Fairleigh wrote in a letter to the 2020 entrants. “In fact, not only did you make it happen, because of your work, your creativity, your artistry, whimsy and commitment, Deck the Trees exceeded all expectations.”
The committee decided last summer to alter the 2020 format for the fundraiser, which has now donated more than $151,000 since it began raising money for the fuel fund in its second year. The SVCM fund assists local residents with heating bills, and the need this year was expected to increase due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The addition of a virtual tour to the SVCM website allowed people to view the trees from home and make donations online.
The Deck the Trees entry displayed in the Monte Vista Hotel that best matched the theme “And a Star Appeared,” according to judges “Team Kleive” of Renewing Smiles, belonged to the Black Mountain Beautification Committee. Photo by Fred McCormick
The event raises money by allowing local businesses and community organizations to decorate trees based on a theme. People who view the trees can vote for their favorites by placing money in the entry’s collection box. This year’s theme was “And a Star Appeared.”
The committee announced this year’s winners in four categories: most represents the theme at the Monte Vista Hotel; most represents the theme in the community; most money raised at the Monte Vista and most money raised in the community.
“Team Kleive,” of the Renewing Smiles dentist office in Black Mountain, judged the entries.
Of the 15 trees displayed in the Monte Vista Hotel, the one that best represented the theme was designed by the Black Mountain Beautification Committee. Decorated in white, featuring star-shaped ornaments with simple uplifting words, the tree was topped with a large bow and ribbons that flowed vertically down the sides. The runner-up in the category was the Black Mountain Fire Department entry, while Girl Scout Troop 02498 received an honorable mention.
The tree in Kilwin’s raised the most money of the 20 Deck the Trees entries that were displayed throughout the community and finished as a runner-up in the "best fits the theme” category. Photo by Fred McCormick
In the community, where 20 trees were displayed throughout, it was the one in Sassafras that the judges found best represented the theme. The entry, displayed on the recently renovated top floor of the historic building, was adorned with star-themed children’s books and hand-made ornaments. While the white tree in Kilwin’s received recognition as the runner-up from the judges, its message of honoring health care workers and wearing masks raised the most money.
The entry displayed at The Old Depot finished second in the “most money raised in the community” category.
BMFD’s tree included a variety of wooden ornaments, including stars with the names and years of service of each firefighter. A plaque featuring the silhouette of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range and a vintage red toy fire truck were beneath it. The entry generated the most donations inside of the Monte Vista Hotel, while a creative display of paper mache dog faces earned Buckeye Kennels the runner-up nod in that category.
Downtown bookstore Sassafras created the tree that best matched the theme in the community for the 10th annual Deck the Trees, which raised more than $36,000 for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund during the holiday season. Photo by Fred McCormick
Deck the Trees also raised money through its Un-Gala in 2020. Held in place of its traditional gala marking the opening of the event, it featured decorative invitations announcing that the formal party would not be held in the hotel lobby due to the pandemic. The invitations asked those who could support the event in the difficult year to do so. Not only did the committee receive additional sponsors, according to Fairleigh, many businesses that sponsored the fundraiser in past years chose to give more.
Organizers of the event credit the community with being the “stars” of the fundraiser.
“It is remarkable that during this pandemic year your time, effort, and generosity, along with the generosity of so many others, has made this difficult, challenging, mask-filled, socially-distancing year the single most successful year in Deck The Trees history,” read the committee’s letter to its supporters. “It is nothing short of a miracle that the record-breaking total amount donated by your Trees, the sponsors, and the Un-Gala to Deck The Trees for 2020 is $36,078.87.”