Recently LGH received a letter and a few photos from a teacher in Topeka, Kansas. All of us here in the Colorado office were so encouraged by the story that we just had to share.

During the holidays in Topeka, there is an event called the “Festival of Trees”. This event is a fundraiser for an organization called “Sheltered Living” which provides managed facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Volunteer groups design, decorate and then donate a Christmas tree to this event to then be viewed publically for four days, then auctioned off to benefit Sheltered Living. About 120 volunteer groups participated this year.

A student of Washburn Rural Middle School and member of the Community Service Group approached teacher, Alice Bertels, about participating in the Festival of Trees. With donations from their PTO group and a collaboration of about 25 students, the group from Washburn Middle School designed a tree that sent a Spread Hope message. The students decorated the tree with hand-made ornaments, quotes about spreading hope on small picture frames, Ugandan flags, raffia and last but not least, ten Suubi necklaces. (The School had sold Suubi necklaces in the previous year) To top off the tree, the group added gold “HOPE” words, dried grass and a nameplate describing the Suubi Necklaces and Light Gives Heat.

After the four days of viewing, the tree was sent to the stage for bidding. After a fierce battle for the win, the tree was sold for $1,500. (Trees were sold for anywhere between $300 and $2,500) After the sale was complete, the tree was donated back to the school where the school decided to give it a home in a small church in the city that could not afford a Christmas tree.

The group’s heart to spread hope is inspiring and gave a church family hope in the holiday season. In the end, Ms. Bertels stated, “This project was a wonderful experience that involved students and taught them the true meaning of providing hope for others!"