Service League tree gathers toys for local kids
MARBLE FALLS — A dollar bill could win a local shopper a fully-decorated 7-foot Christmas tree as well as benefit an annual fundraising effort collecting toys for children in need.
Highland Lakes Service League members decorated a Christmas tree Nov. 15 at Ace Hardware, who donated the tree, with proceeds from prize give-away tickets benefitting Highland Lakes Christmas is for Kids.
The owners of the store, located at 1400 Ninth St. in Marble Falls, host the site each year for the program which goes through Nov. 28.
PHOTO 1: Highland Lake Service League volunteers Deborah Wright (left), Cynthia Russell and Danette Hall decorate a tree Nov. 15 at Ace Hardware, located at 1400 Ninth St. in Marble Falls. Customers can donate $1 or $5 for six tickets on chances to win the fully-decorated tree with proceeds benefitting Christmas is for Kids. The winner of a tree will be announced Nov. 28. Staff photos by Connie Swinney
PHOTO 2: Ace Hardware Co-owner Lara Ford assists Highland Lakes Service League volunteer Cynthia Russell Nov. 15 to decorate a tree donated by the store. The non-profit group sells tickets ($1 and $5 for 6 tickets) on chances to win the decorated 7-foot Christmas tree. The proceeds go to Christmas is for Kids, a gift-giving program for the Marble Falls area.
PHOTO 3: Highland Lakes Service League volunteers Cynthia Russell (left), Stacy Bryant and Josie Quinlan decorate a Christmas tree Nov. 15 at Ace Hardware in Marble Falls. The fully-decorated tree is part of a fund raiser with proceeds benefitting the Highland Lakes Christmas is for Kids.
PHOTO 4: Ace Hardware Co-owner Lara Ford (left) and Highland Lakes Service League members Cynthia Russell, Deborah Wright, Josie Quinlan, Stacy Bryant and Danette Hall decorate a Christmas tree Nov. 15 which was donated by Ace Hardware, located at 1400 Ninth St. in Marble Falls. Proceeds of the raffled fully-decorated tree go to the annual Christmas is for Kids.
“We’ve been involved with this as long as we owned the store, about 12 years,” Ace Hardware co-owner Lara Ford said. “By donating the tree and the Service League members picking the ornaments, business and service organizations are coming together.”
Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six tickets on chances to win the tree. Last year, the program raised about $2,500 for the local gift-giving program. Christmas is for Kids volunteers purchase and wrap presents for children who might otherwise go without due to their family’s financial struggles.
“Christmas is for Kids is a great organization,” Service League Volunteer Stacy Bryant said. “They’re helping kids in our local community who really need it.”
About half a dozen members decorated the tree which dons a red and green color scheme, including multi-themed Santas, wooden ornaments which read “Believe,” shiny, red icicles, reindeer and glittery holly leaves and berries; all topped with a sequin Santa hat.
“It’s our way of giving back, and hosting a place for the Service League to have this annual program,” Ford said. “Our customers know its coming up every year. It puts them in the Christmas spirit.”