(Spirit Lake)-The big winner of the annual event is the pantry at Upper Des Moines Opportunity. KUOO’s Becky Thoreson explains:
Organizers of the Festival of Giving Trees at The Great Lakes Mall in Spirit Lake have announced the winners of the contest.
Marketing Coordinator Kim Olander says, the event benefits the pantry at Upper Des Moines Opportunity. “The Festival of Trees every year we have in the Great Lakes Mall. Surrounding businesses and organizations decorate a tree based on a nonperishable item that Upper Des Moines is in need of. So, this year we focused on toiletry items and we had lots of great entries, lots of great trees, really creative ones. Every year we pick out two winners, one based on whoever collects the most donations and then for the most creative tree. Grape Tree was the winner of the most donations. They collected 911 hand soaps and then, our most creative tree was The Dickinson County Nature Center. They each win $200 to give to a local charity. So, it’s a great cause. It helps Upper Des Moines, it helps the local charities. It’s a great opportunity for the area.”
She adds that the drive raised over 800 pounds of goods for the pantry. “Overall, we collected over 853 pounds of items to give to the pantry. We appreciated everybody that sponsored a tree and participated.”
Businesses are asked to pick up their decorations by January 4.
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