Dozens of diminutive beauties glimmer with the kind of holiday cheer that prompts even the most frenzied shoppers to slow their pace and admire the unique decorations.
One of the most eye-catching trees is an ornate creation made of recycled copper tubing and wire, which has a mesmerizing burnished glow and a high-art style that is both traditional and modern.
Appropriately titled “Festival of Trees,” the display is more than just a holiday decoration for the mall. The trees - which are decorated by local artisans, residents and area businesses - serve as the annual fundraiser for Mountain Home Montana, a Missoula nonprofit that helps teenage mothers and their babies.
As in years past, each tree is sold in a silent auction, but this year other items are included - such as a weekend ski package at Discovery Ski Area, handmade quilts and locally crafted lawn art, said Britton, who serves on the board of directors for Mountain Home Montana.
In all, a record 90 items are for sale. Bidding ends at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.
Britton gave prospective bidders a tour of the items on Sunday, allowing for close inspection of the beautifully crafted and decorated items.
“There's a little something for everybody because each tree has a different theme,” she said, “and I think people have really been impressed with the variety and creativity.”
As if on cue, two women shoppers laughed and smiled when they stopped to admire the “Here Kitty Kitty” tree, which is loaded with stuffed mice and adorned with catnip toys.
“This is the first year we have held this event in the mall, and it has been so wonderful for us. We have had a lot of traffic so far,” Britton said.
A record-breaking fundraiser would be welcome, said Gypsy Ray, Mountain Home Montana's executive director.
At the top of the nonprofit's wish list?
“We have plans to develop the rest of our property and build apartments so the girls have one more step between the 24-hour supervision they get at the home to independent living,” Ray said.
Currently, the nonprofit operates a six-bedroom home on South Avenue, where teen mothers and their babies live and receive parenting classes, get help pursuing GED certificates and prepare for the work world.
As part of their experience living at the home, the young mothers help operate a drive-up coffee kiosk called Mocha Mamas, which is next to the house and serves as a job training site that allows them to be near their infants.
Although the girls receive support as they make the transition from a group home to the larger world, having an apartment on the premises would help make that journey go more smoothly, Ray said.
“Mountain Home Montana serves young women who have aged out of foster care, who have been abandoned by their families, and who would otherwise be living on the street or in a car,” Ray said. “We provide a place for them to get on their feet and give their babies a safe start in a safe place.”
The nonprofit began in 1998 as an idea and was launched with its first “Festival of Trees” fundraiser, Ray said. In 2000, the home opened its doors and has since served more than 150 families.
“Not every outcome is a Cinderella story, but we have moms who have gone on to college, moms who have finished college, and one mom is an employee of ours now,” she said. “We have many examples of success, and it all began in many ways with Festival of Trees, which provided the very first dollars to start the program.”
All of the proceeds from the Christmas tree sales, and the popular teddy bear tea parties to be held next weekend, will go directly to the home's operating budget, Ray said.
“All of the proceeds will stay local,” she said.
Festival of Trees
Mountain Home Montana, a Missoula nonprofit that helps teenage mothers and their babies, is holding three separate fundraising events this holiday season.
A silent auction is under way at Southgate Mall, and people are invited to bid on the gorgeously decorated 3-foot-tall Christmas trees and other items. Bidding ends at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.
Also, a gala live auction to purchase fully decorated 7-foot-tall Christmas trees will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. this Thursday at the Doubletree Hotel.
And children and their favorite stuffed bears are invited to a Teddy Bear Tea Party at Southgate Mall on Saturday, Dec. 1. Teas will be at 10 a.m. and noon.
For more information about the events, call 541-4663.
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