Giving Tree Project Kick-off

Description

2024 GIVING TREE PROJECT

The Giving Tree Project places fully decorated Christmas Trees in the homes of Veterans in need.

We need your decoration donations to make it possible.

• Ready for Decoration Saturday, November 29th
• Twenty trees will be at their business foster sites and ready for public decorating from November 29th until December 9th.
• Giving Trees can be identified by the green or red tree shaped poem tied to the boughs.
• Last Day to Decorate Monday, December 9th

BENEFICIARY

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)

HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH THE GIVING TREE PROJECT & THE MACV TOY DRIVE

• Giving Tree Public Decorating
• Giving Trees Donations

WE HAVE 2 DROP OFF SITES:

1. Gary’s Frist Class Car Care - 366 Highway 7, Excelsior 8:30 am-4:00 pm M-F
2. Excelsior Fire District Stations No.1 24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood 8:30 am-4:00 pm M-Th

GIVING TREE NEEDS

• Glass bulbs
• Ornaments
• Tree Trimmings
• Tree tops
• Working Lights
• Tree stands for trees 3-5 inches.
• Tree bags
• Tree Skirts
• Please no candles

HOW YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN ADOPT A TREE TO DECORATE

• Your group can adopt a tree to personalize and make special for the family receiving the tree.
• Nothing adds to a tree more than ornaments and trimmings placed by the hands of someone who cares.
• Decorations can be handmade or purchased.
• We encourage groups to write their names, and/or group names on the ornaments.
• A ribbon or banner with your group’s information is also welcome. These tiny 3 to 4-foot trees stand outside and are exposed to the elements, the ornaments or cards should be placed in Ziplocs or plastic bags
• Contact Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail  kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org for more details and to be assigned a tree.

Contact Firefighter Kellie at 952-960-1692 to adopt a tree to decorate.

2024 LOCATIONS

1. Dunn Brothers Coffee, 11 Water Street
2. Excelsior Bay Books, 36 Water Street
3. Lakes Area Realty, 37 Water Street
4. Fleurish, 40 Water Street
5. Martins, 212 Water Street
6. Re/Max Advantage Plus, 216 Second Street
7. Lake Effect, 219 Water Street
8. Amore & Fede, 226 Water Street
9. Excelsior Eye Care, 228 Water Street
10. Leipold's, 239 Water Street
11. Ooh La La, 274 Water Street
12. TaVor, 266 Water Street
13. South Lake Cycle, 344 Water street
14. Truffle Hill, 345 Water Street
15. The Guest House, 371 Water Street
16. Excelsior Real Estate, 386 Oak Street
17. State Farm Insurance, 378 Oak Street
18. Excelsior Paint and Design, 701 Highway 7
19. Gary’s First Class Car Care, 366 Highway 7
20. Minnesota Inboard, 720 Galpin Lake Road

BECOMING A FOSTER SITE

Great News, the 2024 Giving Trees all have Foster Sites. If have a business in downtown Excelsior and you would like be a Giving Tree Foster Site in the future, call Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail at kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org to be placed on the waiting list.

THINK OF THE GIVING TREE PROJECT WHEN...

• You’re downsizing your tree trimmings, ornaments, and tree bling.
• You do not know what to do with those ornaments you received as gifts that are just not your style.
• You just don’t know what to do with those ornaments from your x-spouse.
• You have talented children that want to help, have them make ornaments.
• Your Christmas boxes are outgrowing their storage space.
• You are writing up your holiday invites and ask for donations for the Giving Tree.
• Project in lieu of hostess gifts.

MACV TOY DRIVE DONATIONS

Toy Collection for Veterans

Thursday, November 21st until Monday, December 9th

Ages Pre-K to 18

WE HAVE 6 CONVENIENT DROP OFF SITES:

1. Gary’s Frist Class Car Care, 366 Highway 7, Excelsior 8:30 am-4:00 pm M-F
2. Excelsior Fire District Stations No.1, 24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood, 8:30 am-4:00 pm M-Th
3. Dunn Brothers Coffee, 11 Water Street
4. Excelsior Real Estate, 386 Oak Street, Excelsior
5. State Farm Insurance, 378 Oak Street, Excelsior
6. Joey Nova’s, 5655 Manitou Road, Tonka Bay

List of suggested toy donations below. The average price of a donated toy is $10 - $30.

Ages 0 - 4

Toy Tool Sets, Fischer Price Toys, See & Say Toys, Musical Toys, Tyco Toys, Educational Play Sets, Duplo Play Sets, Wooden Block Sets, Books

Ages 5 - 10

Multicultural Dolls, Tonka Trucks, Art & Craft Sets, Sporting Goods, Model or Construction Sets, Science Kits / Sporting Items, Educational Play Sets, DVDs / Board Games, Books

Ages 11 - 18

CDs / DVDs / Video Games, CD Players / Electronics, Jewelry / Books, Sporting Items, Sport's Team Apparel, Board Games, Digital Cameras, Ridgedale Mall Gift Cards, Target/Best Buy Gift Cards

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, November 21st

• Toy Collection begins

Saturday, November 29th

• Twenty trees will be at their business foster sites and ready for public decorating by

Monday, December 9th

• LAST DAY to decorate or drop off toy donations

Tuesday, December 10th

• Giving Trees will be picked up.

TO BE ADDED TO OUR EVENT LIST

To be added to our event mailing list or the Giving Tree Project mailing list contact Kellie with your e mail. The Excelsior Fire District does not sell or share our lists. Contact Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail at kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org

PICK UP DATES

The Giving Trees will be picked up by Ridgewood Church Volunteers on Tuesday, December 10th. 

Toy donations will be collected by volunteers on Tuesday, December 10th.

Giving Tree Project Donations are accepted all year round.

Donate Tree Trimming or your Troop, Group, neighborhood organization can adopt a tree to decorate.