Wayne State College’s Pi Gamma Mu and Student Senate are hosting the 20th annual Festival of Trees located in the Kanter Student Center, from Nov. 14 to Dec. 2.  

Student groups and clubs will be able to decorate a tree and have it displayed in the Student Center. 

The event is also a fundraiser for children of families in need, for students from far away from Wayne who might not have a chance to decorate before the holidays while they’re at college and don’t get to decorate with their families back home.  

This event originally started from a group of non-traditional students who wanted to do something for the holiday season. It was a success the first year and kept having success year after year. Many groups, organizations, resident halls, even faculty groups have participated in this tradition over the two decades, with last year raising over $500 for kids in need. 

The festival of trees is a popular event, around 15-25 groups participate each year. Groups just need to donate $12 to use their own tree, or they can use a tree from Student Senate for $20. All donations go to Wayne County Families and kids in need. Award certificates are given to a range of categories.  

“I think it gives people an opportunity to stop for a minute and find themselves there’s a holiday coming up get creative there’s some decorating cause all the decorating will probably be done by the time they get home for the holiday season plus it’s just a little competitive because there are award categories every year,” Randy Bertolas, the head of the Festival of Trees, said. “I hope when students are walking through the Student Center for whatever reason that they know is ‘Oh my goodness there’s a whole bunch of decorations over there, look at that, isn’t that creative?’ It isn’t just to pause for a minute but to let out a little bit of stress the biggest danger to college students is getting stressed out”. 

If students wish to participate, contact Dr. Randy Bertolas ([email protected]) in Connel Hall 237.