#1: Seeding Healthy Food by Community Crops: Megan McGuffy

This organization was chosen as the major recipient of our annual Holiday of Trees fundraiser. They run 11 garden sites to help individuals who are food insecure to grow their own healthy food. They provide support through education, a training farm, a farmers market, and other activities. See the movie about them that is also on this site. Their tree is a representation of their gardening focus.

#2: Ornaments of the World by Ten Thousand Villages: Jill Christ

Ten Thousand Villages – Lincoln is a non-profit fair trade organization that has been serving the Lincoln community since 1981.  Our continuing mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term fair trading relationships. This year we decided to brighten up a difficult year by decorating our tree with a collection of colorful and cheerful fair trade ornaments. Our hope is that this tree will remind us all of the happiness of the season while highlighting the talents of our fair trade artisan partners.

#3 Christmas Forest by Sara-Jane Schroeder

Sara-Jane is a Heritage League Member and co-chair of The Holiday of Trees.  She loves to decorate trees and share them with friends and family.  This year she has a “forest” of trees with cats, birds, and other beloved creatures nestled among the branches and under the trees.

#5 Holiday Haven by Friendship Home: Debby Portnoy

Friendship Home helps victims of domestic violence find physical and emotional safety. Offering possibilities to help change their lives when things are at their worst – to be hope they can feel. Through crisis services, emergency shelter, and transitional housing, Friendship Home helps victims gain insight into their trauma and guides them to use their strengths to rebuild their lives. Empowering everyone who comes through our doors to achieve safety and freedom from violence.

#6 The Future is Super! by Lead Up: Julie Allen

Everyone has a spark – inner passions, skills and strengths. Maybe even super powers?  At Lead Up, we help students develop those attributes, use them to find their purpose, and then realize their goals and dreams for the future. You could say “we help young people become the Super Heroes of their own lives.”

#7 Christmas Round the Campfire by Kaleo on the River: Sue Shear

Kamp Kaleo is camp and conference center created for the benefit of children and adults to learn and grow in Burwell, Nebraska. Their children’s camp is designed to help children encounter God in nature and community. Their decorated tree represents all aspects of life at the camp.

#9 Paper Hearts by Lincoln Needleworkers Guild: Dixie Wulf

The Lincoln Needleworkers Guild is a chapter of the Embroiders’ guild of America, that fosters the practice and excellence in the art of embroidery. Embroidery is defined as needlework done by hand using a needle with an eye. The Guild strives to broaden the knowledge of its members by sharing skills and offering a variety of educational opportunities.This tree is decorated with hearts stitched with perforated paper and Watercolors embroidery thread. The hearts are backed with coordinating felt and ribbon.

#10 Follow The White Rabbit by Nebraska Welsh: Julie Allen   

The St. David’s Welsh Society of Nebraska is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and encouraging interest in the people and history of Wales, and to highlight Welsh connections to Nebraska.  Our tree titled honors the beautiful Victorian seaside resort in North Wales that was the summer home of young Alice Liddell who was the inspiration behind the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  The Nebraska Welsh invite you to “come to Wales” through this imaginative story where anything impossible is possible.

#11 Peacock Paradise and Napa Valley by Terri’s TREEmendous Trees: Terri Heckman

#13 Spreading Warmth and Joy by Lincoln Women’s Chamber of Commerce:Leeanne Call

Part of a collection of mittens, gloves, socks, and hats become the decorations of this tree. These items are donated to Saratoga Elementary School for children who are in need of warm winter clothing.

#14 Birds and Boughs by The White Cane Foundation: Paula Boyd

The White Cane Foundation is here to provide students with basic needs through a consistent presence. We partner with schools where the majority of the students are below the poverty line. Items are kept in a “store” where students with needs may “shop” for needed items in a way that protects their privacy and dignity.

#15 Plethera of Poinsettias by Summers/Goodson Family: Sue Goodson

This family has always included poinsettias in their Christmas decor and keep them year round. The contrast between the dark green tree and leaves with the bright red floors just screams “Christmas”!