The 24th annual Festival of Trees, hosted by the Wayne State College Student Senate and social sciences honor society Pi Gamma Mu (PGM), is set up in the Kanter Student Center until Nov. 21.
Many campus groups are putting up trees, including Wildlife Society, Legal Minds, Cru and even the campus custodians, who are calling themselves Carlos’ Crew. Any group can sign up, whether it’s an official campus organization, a residence hall floor teaming up or just a group of students who want to decorate a tree. Donations are $20 to borrow a tree from Student Senate and $12 to provide a tree.
All proceeds from the festival will go to Wayne County’s Gifts for Kids, a charity that provides Christmas presents for kids and families who may not be able to afford Christmas presents. These presents are essentials like socks, coats and other clothing.
“During this time of year, it’s getting cold, work is going to be a tiring thing,” PGM president, Abby Wieseler, said. “You have to afford your rent, your groceries, all that stuff, and sometimes it’s hard to have the money to be able to get gifts for your own kids or your family because you have to focus on the essentials. So, this is a way that we can give back to our community to help children get gifts for Christmas. It’s nice to feel like someone loved you, and you got a gift.”
According to PGM advisor Randy Bertolas, it’s this early because afterwards, it’s Thanksgiving week, then study week and finals week following that. This event also happens because some college students don’t get the opportunity to decorate a tree with their families, if ever.
Around 22 campus groups have signed up for the Festival of Trees, and Student Senate still has a few more trees for groups to borrow. Trees are loaned on a first come, first served basis unless groups provide their own.
The trees will be judged by three anonymous judges selected by Bertolas, and judging will be happening on Nov. 10. There will be many prizes, including a “Best in Show.” All of the trees will be judged and may or may not win an award.
For more information, or to sign up, contact Randy Bertolas at [email protected].
