Eighty Christmas trees and wreaths line the main hallway of the Kokomo Mall, spanning the distance between Elder-Beerman and JC Penney department stores.
The artificial evergreens are filed neatly in twos, each with a white plastic bucket and sign indicating their names.
That is about where the uniformity stops.
Last week, hundreds of people swarmed the mall for the start of the Trim-A-Tree Festival.
During the event, teams put personalized touches on their trees. Every tree has a name and almost every name has a theme.
The teams decorated their trees based off their themes, and they will remain on display in the mall for the rest of the week.
Kokomo nonprofit organization We Care, which has organized the festival for 17 years, will auction off the trees on Sunday. The auction begins 5 p.m. at the mall. We Care will auction the trees in order, beginning at the south end of the main hallway.
The nonprofit will funnel the auction’s proceeds to its five agencies: the Kokomo Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, Goodfellows, Bona Vista Rehabilitative Services and the Holiday Gift Lift program at the Mental Health Association of Howard County.
We Care volunteer Mariesa Skogland, who coordinated Trim-A-Tree, said last week the auction raised about $42,000 last year. Trees sell for hundreds of dollars, some for more than $1,000 apiece, she said.
Many of the trees include additions not hanging from branches.
Yet-to-be-wrapped presents are scattered around the floor of the roped-off area in the mall. Children’s toys, such as dolls, basketballs and board games, and grown-up toys, such as tools and cook books, sit under many of the trees.
Hidden among the presents are plastic buckets with slits in the lids.
The buckets are part of the People’s Choice Award, which lets passers-by vote for their favorite trees.
Anyone who wants to cast a vote for a tree must drop a penny in a bucket. The teams whose tree collects the most pennies will receive a trophy.
Skogland said the pennies will usually raise several thousand additional dollars.
• Daniel Human is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He can be reached at 765-454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.
If you go
• WHAT: We Care Tree Auction
• WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday
• WHERE: Kokomo Mall
• WHY: Proceeds go to We Care’s five agencies: the Kokomo Rescue Mission, the Salvation Army, Goodfellows, Bona Vista Rehabilitative Services and the Holiday Gift Lift program
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
HOT SPOT: We Care Trees trimmed and ready for auction Sunday
Fundraising festival on display this week at Kokomo Mall.
- Local News
-
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
-
Eastern moves ahead on wind turbine
A packed room of remonstrators Tuesday held little sway over the Eastern Howard Schools board, which voted unanimously to move ahead on a $2.75 million wind turbine project.
-
Board: discipline for accused doctor not strict enough
The Medical Licensing Board of Indiana has rejected a proposed resolution to a Russiaville doctor’s disciplinary case, directing the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to propose a more stringent set of requirements.
-
City to end agreement with Novia
City officials said Tuesday they’re planning to switch providers at the city’s employee health-care clinic this spring, ending a year-old relationship with Novia Health Care.
-
Eastern celebrates graduation rate improvement
The latest graduation rates prove all Howard County schools are offering a quality education, a local superintendent said.
That’s how Tracy Caddell, superintendent of the Eastern Howard School Corp., summed up the figures released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.
-
Jail full of females
In late January, cell mates Monica Clark Davis and Christy Miller were awaiting disposition of their respective cases in the Howard County jail.
-
Eastern set for wind turbine meeting
GREENTOWN — Eastern Howard Schools superintendent Tracy Caddell said Monday the school board is considering alternate sites for a proposed wind turbine project, which would build a 287-foot-tall windmill to produce energy for the schools.
-
Chamber cancels cook-off
After an 11-year run, the annual chili cook-off in Kokomo has been canceled for this year.
-
Miami County GOP fails to appoint new trustee
PERU – Miami County commissioners will be forced to appoint a Perry Township trustee after the GOP’s county chairman exceeded the deadline to replace the vacated seat.
-
Students petition to keep daycare at IUK
A group of Indiana University Kokomo students is petitioning the university to reconsider shutting down an on-campus childcare center.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
