Each week, staff writer Meredith Moss writes about a non-profit organization in our community in need of specific items. If your group has a wish list it would like to share, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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Two non-profit organizations are in need of trees to share with the community.
The Dayton Holiday Festival committee is searching for a tree that will be the centerpiece of Courthouse Square this holiday season.
“There are so many memories created around that special tree,” said Downtown Dayton Partnership special events manager Emily Broughton. “It’s been a great tradition for more than four decades, and how cool would it be to tell people you helped make that happen by donating your tree?”
The selected tree will be decorated with more than 50,000 lights and be unveiled at the Grande Illumination ceremony on Friday, Nov. 27.
"Christmas on Campus," the University of Dayton's student organization, is in need of a 30-foot tall Christmas tree that can be used on campus for the Christmas season.
The 52-year-old organization annually hosts a special event on campus inviting over 2,000 Dayton City School students. This year’s event is slated for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 8. It’s also open to the public, with 7,000 typically attending.
“Christmas on Campus is a magical night that focuses on bringing together the UD and Dayton communities,” says senior Matthew Kubiak, who is coordinating the event this year. ” First and second grade students from Dayton Public Schools buddy up with a UD student for a fun-filled night of games and laughter.”
Here’s what they need for the Courthouse Square tree:
- For Courthouse Square, the ideal tree is approximately 45 to 60 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
- Colorado green spruce or blue spruce trees are preferred but other types of evergreens will be considered if they are "grand and stately."
- The tree must be located on nominee's property in the front or side yard.
- The winning tree will be selected by a search crew at the end of October. PSC Crane and Rigging will transport the tree to Courthouse Square at no expense to the owners, who will have the opportunity to be part of the official tree-lighting ceremony.
Miami Valley residents who believe they have the perfect tree can nominate it by calling Colleen Turner at the Downtown Dayton Partnership at (937) 224-1518, ext. 221, or email turner@downtowndayton.org.
The 2015 Dayton Holiday Festival and Grande Illumination ceremony are scheduled to take place Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. For more information about Dayton Holiday Festival activities, call (937) 224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.
ALSO NEEDED: Volunteers are also needed, especially for the Dayton Children's Parade Spectacular in Lights. Positions range from float builder and parade lineup coordinators to truck drivers and staffers for the day of the parade.
If interested in any volunteer position, you’re asked to contact Emily Broughton, special events manager at the Downtown Dayton Partnership at broughton@downtowndayton.org or (937) 224-1518 x227 (office) or (937) 726-7210 (cell).
Here’s what they need for the tree at the University of Dayton:
- A fairly full tree that's a member of the spruce, fir, or pine family.
- A tree that is approximately 30-feet tall.
- Trees preferably located within a 5-mile radius of the UD campus.
- Professionals from BEST Tree Experts & Schumacher Crane Rental are donating their services to cut down and transport the tree to the University at the end November free of charge.
If you have a tree you’re willing to donate, you’re asked to submit information and a picture to http://udayton.orgsync.com/org/coc/home. On the right side of the page, there will be a link called “Tree Donation” on the right side of the page.
The final day to submit is Friday, Nov. 6. The donors with the chosen tree will be contacted mid-November. Two seats for the Christmas on Campus Mass will be reserved for the donating family.
DO YOU LOVE BOOKS?
The folks who run the newly formed Book Fair Foundation wrote to say our recent Make a Difference has really made a difference for their book drive. They received not just a mountain of books “but a mountain range of books!”
“The huge response to your article has resulted in a veritable deluge of books — not just the (literally) 14 tons that came in that Saturday, but the people who keep calling us to come get their 150 boxes, 20 boxes, 80 boxes, 70 boxes, etc. And those who keep bringing them in.
As a result, the group is desperately in need of volunteers to help sort, price and pack books for the big sale, slated for Friday, Nov. 13, through Monday morning, Nov. 16, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. Proceeds from this year’s sale will be donated to Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm, House of Bread Community Kitchen, Human Race Theatre Co. and the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.
Leading up to the sale volunteers are now needed at the Book Loft, 2181 Embury Park Road, Dayton. You are also needed for the days of the sale in November.
If you have some time you’re willing to devote to this cause, you can call (937) 999-4491 or email bookfair@earthlink.net. You can also contact the organization through its webpage — http://daytonbookfair.com and at our Facebook page,
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