A display of beautiful trees was more than one Okotoks resident could resist. Gaylene Schell bid on three entries in the Sheep River Health Trust’s annual Avenue of Trees auction this year, one silent auction item and two live auction trees. “I’ve looked at these trees, and they’re gorgeous,” said Schell. “And it’s a really good cause.” She bid on a Harry Potter-themed tree, which she said would be donated to someone who needed it. “They’ve got families in need, so that one I’m going to donate it back,” said Schell. The tree decorated by the Okotoks Dawgs, however, was coming home with her. Called The First Snow the tree elicited memories of a freshly-covered ground in early winter. “I really didn’t need another tree, but people put a lot of man hours into these things,” said Schell. “They’re just beautiful and it’s a great cause.” This was her second year attending the live auction, after seeing the Avenue of Trees for the first time in 2017. The Avenue of Trees relies on return decorators and bidders for its success – and auctioneer Dave Smith, who has helped out at every live auction since the event began in 2012. He first got involved because his wife was part of the Sheep River Health Trust board. What keeps him coming back? “The joy of it, just to see the people,” said Smith. “The money goes to an awesome cause. It’s just a nice thing to give back to the community.” Tanya Thorn, fund development officer for the health trust, said overall she’s happy with how the 2018 event went. “All of our trees were sold, so that’s always a good thing,” said Thorn. “Attendance at the live auction was up, we saw lots of people there this year.” There were 37 trees decorated throughout the Okotoks Recreation Centre, where they were on display from Nov. 15 until the wrap-up on Dec. 15. Ten trees were chosen for live auction, and the remaining 27 were sold by online silent auction, she said. Of those sold, there are usually about 10 trees donated back to the community to go to families in need, she said, like the Harry Potter tree Schell gave away. She said the Avenue of Trees couldn’t be as successful without the number of people who come out annually armed with big ideas and shiny ornaments. “Our tree decorators come back year after year,” said Thorn. “They love doing this event and it’s great to see the creativity they bring and the competitiveness that exists between some who have been with us for a long time.” Their hard work paid off. This year the trees raised around $19,000. For the first time, two of the silent auction trees were sent outside of the Foothills region, Thorn said. “We had two trees purchased, one by somebody in Hanna and the furthest away somebody in Edmonton,” she said. “They happened to be in the facility for events – the Edmonton group was there for swimming and the Hanna group was there for hockey.” Running alongside the Avenue of Trees was the annual Photos with Santa, which was sold out this year with 642 families receiving their $50 photo packages with proceeds going to the Sheep River Health Trust, she said. “It’s certainly a highlight for me, seeing the little kids and how excited they get,” said Thorn. “It’s kind of that whole piece of joy of Christmas.” For Thorn, the best part of the entire Christmas event is the two days of set-up that take place in November. “I really like seeing the trees come together and all the creativity and the primping and the priming that everyone does to create their trees,” said Thorn. “It’s fun, and then to see it all lit up and done…that’s the kick-off to Christmas for me.”
