Deck the Trees perseveres in the Swannanoa Valley's time of need
Annual heating assistance fundraiser illuminates glimmer of light in the darkness
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 13, 2024
In the midst of the holiday season, as devastating remnants of a natural disaster remain in full view across the Swannanoa Valley, the return of an annual fundraiser is channeling grief into beauty while comforting local families.
In its 14th year, Deck the Trees remains dedicated to its mission of assisting residents with heating costs through the cold winter months after Tropical Storm Helene. The event, which benefits the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund, features 51 carefully decorated Christmas trees in the Monte Vista Hotel and at participating businesses.
Organized by a committee of volunteers, Deck the Trees, like many local institutions, was in flux, as the region began its sluggish recovery phase. Yet, the campaign that has raised more than $333,000 supporting heating costs for families in need since 2011 was uniquely positioned to offer aid to those directly impacted by the catastrophe.
“Our committee was scattered after the storm,” chair Libba Fairleigh said. “We were able to come back together to meet in October, and we knew we had to make sure it happened. A lot of people felt so helpless, so while we couldn’t be out cutting trees and helping with the physical clean-up efforts, we did have the ability to help families stay warm this winter.”
While the fundraiser, which invites observers to choose their favorite tree or trees through $1 donations while encouraging participants to vote as many times as they can, raised a record $78,000 in 2023, the impact of the storm has created an increase in demand for the nonprofit services of the Ministry.
Based upon current trends, the Black Mountain-based organization that has assisted Swannanoa Valley residents in need for 49 years anticipates a larger need for heating assistance, according to director Kevin Bates.
“Our rental and heating assistance requests typically follow a similar pattern, but we see the rental requests a little sooner,” he said. “Those rental assistance requests have tripled, and we expect to see heating requests double or triple this winter.”
Nearly 400 Swannanoa Valley households utilized the Fuel Fund in 2023.
“Everything has been so overwhelming these past few months, but we have an opportunity to channel some of our grief into beauty with Deck the Trees,” Fairleigh said. “It’s not exactly normalcy, but it is a reminder of something familiar.”
The theme this year is “Winter Wonderland,” and the outpouring of support from the community has already impressed members of the committee, according to the chair.
“We had people who reached out and wanted to do trees, and sponsors that were committed to making sure we had the support we needed,” Fairleigh said. “It’s important we give people something to celebrate and a chance to experience beauty while taking care of our neighbors in possibly their greatest time of need.”
The commitment of the organizers is “incredible,” Bates said.
“They worked so hard to make sure this tradition continues, and Givens Highland Farms really stepped up this year,” he said. “The community needs this event, because it’s an important part of what makes the Swannanoa Valley so great. People here are dealing with so much, and a lot of places don’t really feel like ‘home’ right now.
“What better was is there to feel at home this time of year than having beautiful Christmas trees in our community?” Bates added.
Twenty-seven trees are displayed in the Monte Vista, which has been a partner and host for Deck the Trees since it began. Each entry is accompanied by a box for cash donations and an individual QR code that allows voters to submit online donations at svcmblackmountain.org.
“Everyone did such a great job with their trees this year,” Fairleigh said. “Our theme is ‘Winter Wonderland,’ but we also encouraged people to consider storm-related themes.”
Entries like the one from Black Mountain Girl Scout Troop 2498 feature inspirational messages to local organizations that offered rescue and relief, while The Mulberry Tree features an intricately decorated branch recovered from the debris.
The Black Mountain Fire Department tree in the Monte Vista features the names and ranks of current retired firefighters, many of whom faced life-threatening conditions while responding to emergencies related to the storm.
“You can tell people put so much thought and feeling into the trees this year,” Fairleigh said. “Healing is going to take a long time, but I hope people who are struggling right now can go look at these trees and feel some warmth for a little bit.”
The display is an aesthetically pleasing reflection of “hard-won resilience,” according to Bates.
“It’s needed now more than ever,” he said. When you walk or drive around, nothing feels the same. Cars are still overturned on the side of the road and there’s so much devastation and this heaviness. Deck the Trees helps makes things feel a little bit more like home again.”
View photos of each entry in the 2024 Deck the Trees in the gallery at the top of the page.