In just three seasons, organization that started in Portland has grown and is set to deliver thousands of trees across the world
An idea that started with one person wanting to help five families has turned into an organization that will deliver Christmas trees to thousands of homes, including more than 200 in Clark County.
The Giving Trees does exactly as the name suggests, delivering Christmas trees to families in need.
Chad Barker of Portland said having a Christmas tree was always a special tradition for his family. He wanted to make sure it was available to more families.
“We find so many people who have never had a Christmas tree, especially a natural Christmas tree,” Barker said.
There are families out there who have to choose between a tree and food, or a tree and paying a utility bill. A tree is not a necessity, Barker acknowledged.
A tree can be special, though. It can be magical and help make for a more memorable season.
“This is not a religious endeavor,” Barker said. “This is about community, generosity, and compassion. This is filling that gap. This is something to give people an extra boost during the holiday season.”
Interestingly enough, Barker had no experience in the Christmas tree industry. He said he just wanted to wear a Santa suit and deliver trees to five families in the first year of his project. That was in the fall of 2020, with the pandemic making a mess of so many things. He figured he might as well start it right then.
He posted his idea on Facebook, and people loved the idea.
He raised enough money and had enough help to deliver 117 trees that year. He called that an “insane” number.
Well, things were about to get ever crazier.
The Giving Trees kept going, and interest grew. A year ago, the organization delivered 721 trees around the country, with most going to homes in the Portland area, including Southwest Washington.
This year, the plan is to deliver more than 2,000 trees, including some going to international destinations. More than 200 will be delivered to Clark County, thanks to The Giving Trees partnership with the Rotary Club of Greater Clark County.
“It started with, ‘How do we make people’s holiday season a little better?’ It’s morphed into this whole community of participants coming together,” Barker said.
The Giving Trees has partnered with Lee Farms in Tualatin. Other tree farms have also donated or sold trees at a reduced rate. The Giving Trees works with Lowes Home Improvement for the Christmas tree stands, and with Dollar Tree for the ornaments. Each family receives a tree, stand, and ornaments. The trees are 5- to 6-feet tall Dougla Firs.
The organization also works with school districts, such as Vancouver Public Schools, and social workers, to contact families in need.
“It’s a feel-good thing for everyone involved,” Barker said. “I love it. I’ve never worked harder on something, but I’ve never loved something more.”
Barker said the plan is to deliver more than 2,000 trees this year but there are about a thousand more families on a waiting list. Donations will help to deliver even more trees.To donate, or to find more information on The Giving Trees, go to its website: https://www.gtrees.org/
Also read:
- Ahead of spring, gas prices on the rise in Washington stateWashington state drivers may have noticed an increase in the price at the pump recently.
- King’s Way Christian student, teacher hope they have solved 165-year-old math problemKing’s Way Christian High School student Sarah Crider and her teacher Shawn Hillstrop have been working on the Riemann Hypothesis for the past two years, and they are hoping they have found a solution.
- MORE feds’ censorship scheming revealed in unnerving new reportOne part of the scheming by the federal government to censor information it dislikes has been uncovered and revealed in a new report by Mike Benz, Allum Bokhari and Oscar Buynevich at the Foundation for Freedom Online.
- Council Chair Gary Medvigy to deliver virtual State of the County addressClark County Council Chair Gary Medvigy will present the 2024 State of the County address in a video to be released on Wed., March 27.
- 18th Quilt Show set for March 23-24 at North Clark Historical MuseumThe North Clark Historical Museum will be the site of the 18th Quilt Show on Sat., March 23 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Sun., March 24 (noon-4 p.m.).
- Prairie High School receives national recognition for commitment to students with disabilitiesFor its sustained efforts to bring together students with and without disabilities, Prairie High School has been named a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics.
- Vancouver’s State of the City and Council Community Forum set for MondayCity of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and members of the Vancouver City Council will host the 2024 State of the City and Council Community Forum at 6 p.m. Mon., March 18.