Black Mountain – You can discover beautifully decorated Christmas trees at the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain for the month of December. Twenty-three trees representing this year’s theme — “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” — are on display throughout the first floor of the Monte Vista Hotel,308 West State Street, which is the presenting sponsor of event. The remaining entries can be viewed as far west as the Swannanoa Valley Animal Hospital, throughout downtown Black Mountain and in locations like Town Hall. Each tree, uniquely decorated around the theme have been created by businesses, organizations, or individuals to help raise funds for the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry Fuel Fund. This fund keeps their neighbors warm during the winter and raised an amazing $60,000+ in 2022. With the cold temperatures this week, it becomes even more important to support this event in order to keep families warm and safe this winter.
Each tree is displayed along with a QR code that allow people to instantly donate, as well as a collection box for cash or check contributions. The donations also count as a vote for that tree. At the beginning of January the votes are tallied, which decides which trees have earned the most donations and which have represented the theme the best.
Libba Fairleigh is the coordinator for the Deck the Trees and says every cent donated goes to the Fuel Fund of the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry. Deck the Trees, which is organized by a committee of volunteers, has raised more than $250,000 to benefit the Fuel Fund since 2011. The fundraiser began with a small offering of trees in the Monte Vista Hotel, and expanded to business locations in 2020.
Do share in the Christmas spirit and support your favorite tree by donating with cash, check, or online. You can donate at https://svcministry.networkforgood.com/projects/207522-main-deck-the-trees-donation-page-2023