Rotary spreads cheer with first annual holiday tree exhibit and auction

The Haddonfield Rotary Club has spread holiday cheer with its first annual holiday tree exhibition and auction at the borough public library.

The club reached out to the community for donated decorated trees and received 12 with unique themes. They will be available for viewing and bidding until Dec. 12 at 4 p.m.

“The response was so great, we had to cut it off,” explained Allison Super, fundraising director of the Rotary.

The idea for the tree auction and viewing came about when club members decided they wanted to explore fundraising with more than one specific group in mind.

“We were looking for something unique,” Super said.

Mary Ann BIgelow, a club chair, noted the tree initiative is a COVID friendly way to  spread cheer while maintaining social distancing. Bidders can browse trees and then bid for them online.

The trees were created by Haddonfield residents, organizations and businesses who agreed to give each one a theme. The Rotary had to be informed of a tree’s measurements so it could fit through the library’s doors, and no open flames were allowed.

The list of trees for auction are as follows:

• #1, Baby’s First Tree, was designed and donated by Kathryn Zchech. The tree is decorated with photo frame ornaments and baby-themed ornaments.
•  #2, Paw Patrol on a Christmas Roll, was designed and donated by the Bezich family and is one of the smaller trees at about 2 feet high. It is decorated with characters from Paw Patrol.
• #3, Paper Magic! was designed and donated by the Brittain family. The tree features carefully crafted origami shapes and butterflies, along with lights and origami stars. The tree includes a packet of small stars for good luck.
• #4, Red White and Beautiful, the largest tree, was created and donated by Republic Bank and is decorated with large red and silver ornaments and candy canes.
• #5, SEA-son’s Greetings, was designed and donated by the Stalcup family. The teal tree is festooned with mermaids, star fish, sea horses and an assortment of colorful ornaments.
• #6, Sweetest Christmas Ever, was created by Haddonfield Rotary Club member Doug Rauschenberger and is decorated with gummy bears, peppermints, candied gingerbread men and edible candy canes.
• #7, Take a Paws for Christmas, was designed and donated by Dr. Amy James and Associates. It features an array of pet supplies like toys and treats for cats and dogs and is the tallest tree, at 7 feet.
• #8, A Symphony of Celebration, was designed and donated by Symphony in C and features instrument ornaments, decorative gifts and a tree skirt. It is topped with a gold horn that also comes with the tree.
• #9, Silver Bells, was created and donated by the Costello Group, Compass Real Estate. Like the Costello logo, the tree is decorated in shades of black and white, featuring snowflakes, Santa and small animals. It stands at 4.5 feet.
• #10, A Christ-mas Tree, designed and donated by Cheryl Laney, is a small potted tree decorated with lights, miniature golden ornaments, and holiday symbols such as the Star of David and a praying angel. It comes with a miniature house.
• #11, “Meant to Bee Home” for Christmas, was designed and decorated by Meant to Bee Home LLC, an interior-design company. The pale white tree is decorated from head to toe with bee-themed ornaments.
• #12, a Flock of Peacocks, was created and donated by the Allison Nagle Team at RE/MAX ONE. It features peacock feathers, a peacock-themed Santa doll and a peacock tree skirt to match.

According to the Rotary chairs, the trees are valued at about $300 to $500. Proceeds from the auction will benefit club initiatives like improving literacy in underserved communities

Following the auction, the trees will be available for pickup on Dec. 13 and 14, or for delivery by a Rotary volunteer at a fee of $25. While trees can be purchased for one’s home, they can also be donated

To learn more about the project or bid on a tree, visit https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=28879