The Eighth Mission Festival of Trees and Dramatic Reading of Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, took place Dec. 5-9 and organizers are calling it a huge success.
The festival is held to support the Mission Christmas Bureau and the five-day event managed to raise more than $2,100 in cash donations, and many non-perishable food items, as well as toys and Christmas gifts.
Thirty-six decorated Christmas trees from various, groups, families, churches, businesses, and organizations were distributed through the Christmas Bureau to families/seniors in need, in the Mission community.
The children’s program ran all week with leadership from nine students. They decorated a Christmas tree to be in the festival. They also helped the children make Christmas cards to be given to the folks in TRIM. In total they created over 175 decorated cards.
Santa’s Grotto welcomed all family members, including pets, to have their photo’s taken with Santa, and one of his helpers.
There were 46 volunteers involved, plus the entertainers who performed throughout the event, and those who performed in the Dramatic Reading of Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”.
Results of the voting by visitors to the Festival for their favourite trees are as follows:
People’s Choice Award
Mission Hospice Society
Best Uniquely Decorated Tree
Little Shop Talk
Best Crafty Decorated Tree
Mission Ukulele Circle
Best Family Decorated Tree
Betterton Family
Best Business Decorated Tree
The Royal Bank
Best Organization/Group Decorated Tree
Rotary Sunrise
Honourable Mention also goes to the following:
Mission Health Care Auxiliary “The Cottage”
St. Andrews United Church
Pink Flamingo Vintage
Anglican Church Women – All Saints Anglican Church
Skills To Play Program Inc.
The Recap Service