United Way Holiday Tree Auction Going Ahead

In light of the ever increasingly difficult means to create and host events, United Way Brandon & District is moving ahead with it’s annual Holiday Tree Auction. The auction will take place December 3, 2020.

Given the current Code Red restrictions evoked by the Province of Manitoba, this year’s Holiday Tree Auction is adapting so the event can go on in a safe manner. Instead of having an event to have the 12 donating businesses decorate the trees in person, the experience will be given to the families that receive the trees instead.

“It makes it more of a family event, coming together, decorating their tree. For some, maybe for the first time ever,” commented Campaign Director, Areta Donnelly
Complete with gifts, the trees will still be organized at the Victoria Inn on December 2. Businesses will be given a scheduled drop off time to be at the Imperial Ballroom, with two people from that business meeting a United Way volunteer to unload into the room. The following day, two United Way volunteers will pack all 12 of the trees and gifts into a moving truck and do some much welcomed curb side drop offs. Family names and addresses are given with permission by CFS, Big Brothers & Sisters, as well as the Community Hub.

When asked why it was so important to ensure this event continued this year, United Way CEO, Cynamon Mychasiw, had this to say.

“In a time when so many things are uncertain and people have lost so much, we wanted to attempt to keep a grasp of a little normalcy; even with safety modifications. The Holiday Tree Auction has always been a great fundraiser for us, but more importantly it has been the gift of the Holidays for 12 families in need. We can’t lose that too.”

(submitted)