Christmas is the season of giving, and spending some time at the 4th Annual Festival of Trees at the Museum of Coastal Carolina is a great way to get started early. The event opened in November, and more than 20 trees were contributed this year, according to Jim Hoffman Executive Director of the Museum of Coastal Carolina.
“The festival also includes other holiday decor,” Hoffman said. “Children can decorate a tree with an ornament they make during their visit here. We sell ornaments and local art from a couple of trees, and guests can make contributions by picking a sand dollar from our sand dollar tree. There’s also a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt for children to do on their way through the museum.
It’s an all around win — museum patrons can enjoy the creative designs and local charities benefit from money raised from the event. Trees are being auctioned off, starting at $100 bids. Each person, business, or group that decorated a tree picked a charity. Charities include Hope Harbor Home, veterans programs, first responders, and even the Museum itself.
“As a non-profit organization, we are so proud that we can support so many other causes, from the sea turtle protection groups from Ocean Isle Beach and from Oak Island to the American Legion to St. Jude’s. And it really is beautiful,” Hoffman said.
Participants are also vying for the “Favorite Tree” award as voted on by museum guests. The competition looks pretty tight this year, with so many creative designs on display.
“It’s spectacular,” Hoffman said. “I’m impressed with the artistic ability from so many in our community. It’s also an opportunity, if you are new, to get to know the organizations that make this community what it is. And I’m not just talking about Ocean Isle Beach. We have organizations from Sunset Beach, Oak Island, even as far away as Swansboro.”
To really get into the festival spirit, we asked a couple of the participants about their chosen charities and how they pick their theme.
Melissa Wilson, co-owner of Coastal Carolina Lighting,
www.coastalcarolinalighting.com/
What is your selected charity, and why do you support this particular organization?
Our charity is our Veteran Christmas Lighting program. Every year, our company donates a full Christmas lighting package, with installation, to a local veteran. We do this because Christmas time should make people happy, and we know that Veterans go through so much in their lives, from their sacrifice during service to their lives afterward. I feel like many people forget about them and don’t take the time to express their appreciation for them. That’s why we have people nominate their neighbors, friends, family, etc. It’s not so much about financial need as it is that the Christmas lights are a way to hopefully brighten up their day and let them know how much people care.
How do you pick a theme for your tree? Do you change it from one year to the next, or do you keep the same one?
I like things that are bold and bright. And I have way too much creative energy to stick to the same theme every year. For me, I go back to more classical Christmas and I find inspiration in everything around me.
Is decorating your tree a solo effort, or do you have a group participate?
It is a solo effort.
What is your favorite thing about participating?
I love being able to see so many other creative people and seeing how even similar themes can be executed so differently. It’s funny, because many people like to comment about how they can tell I’m a professional decorator. But honestly, I just enjoy it so much that it does come naturally to me to grab an idea from Instagram or Pinterest and make it come to life in my own way.
Gina Gore, Broker/REALTOR with Coldwell Banker, Sea Coast Advantage
What is your selected charity, and why do you support this particular organization?
My charity is the Specialized Rescue Mark Gore Memorial Fund, established in the care of Grissettown Longwood Fire Department. The fund is in memory of my husband, Mark Gore who was the Director of Daily Operations for Brunswick County Emergency Services until his sudden passing in 2016. He had been with the system since the first six paramedics were hired in Brunswick county and was very instrumental in it’s growth over the years. Rescue operations were close to his heart so this fund helps pay for rescue equipment and in 2024 it will begin to offer a scholarship as well for Brunswick county high school students interested in a career in emergency services.
How do you pick a theme for your tree? Do you change it from one year to the next, or do you keep the same one?
This will be my second year participating in the Festival of Trees, and I intend to incorporate the emergency services theme each year.
Is decorating your tree a solo effort, or do you have a group participate?
Myself and my two daughters decorate the tree and it’s such a meaningful time to us. I have a young grandson and granddaughter that help a bit too.
What is your favorite thing about participating?
It’s hard to pick one favorite thing about participating. It’s special because of the connection I feel to my husband and the profession that he loved. I created the charity because being a real estate professional is a second career for me and I didn’t pursue it until after his passing, but he always told me I should be a realtor. I needed a way to make him part of my new journey so a portion of everything I earn in real estate is donated to this fund. It’s important to me to honor the dedication of our EMS, Fire, and First Responders and this tree allows me to do that. It’s also just simply beautiful to see the trees throughout the museum and the love that goes into each one.. my husband loved Christmas and adding new decorations! I just love the joy that this event brings!
The Museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, and the entry fee is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 3 to 12 (free for children younger than 3). Memberships are also available, as are combo tickets for a show at Ingram Planetarium. Visit seandsky.org for more details.
