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November 4, 2009

Simmons Center to hold Wreath Auction

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — Since it began eight years ago, the annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Auction has generated more than $17,000 for area charity organizations.

The holiday event is sponsored by the Simmons Center and in 2008, was expanded to include more than just decorated trees and wreaths, said LoisDawn Jones, who helps oversee the project. Jones is executive director of the Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau at the Simmons Center.

“It’s one of the ways the facility tries to honor the spirit of the season,” she said.

Adding tabletop decorations, Christmas quilts, stockings and other similar items, including smaller trees, was so popular that it will again be part of the show. It also allows more people to bid on items that are not as costly as the larger decorated trees.

“A lot of people only get a new tree every couple years, but smaller items, even trees four feet and under, table top items, stockings and wall hangings, are items that many people will buy new each year,” Jones said.

A Christmas quilt donated by an anonymous person for the 2008 show, was the item that received the most bidding. Proceeds from it, which Jones believe were around $400, went to the Simmons Center Community Spirit Program. That program provides financial assistance to non-profit organizations and scholarships for youth sports programming at the facility, Jones said.

“If a child wanted to take basketball camp and his parents can’t afford it, he’d be able to apply for a scholarship,” she said.

While invitations are sent out in late August and early September to area organizations, businesses and individuals so they can begin preparing for the event, it is open to anyone who would like to donate.

Jones said the donor can choose a charity that the funds will benefit.

The day of decorating is set for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 16, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a potluck lunch, with meat supplied by the Simmons Center, adds to the festivity.

Jones said on that day people can bring in their readied items, or show up to decorate. It’s a festive atmosphere, she noted.

“People can still call us by Nov. 13, but if they decide over the weekend, and they just show up on Nov. 16, that’s fine. It makes the facility look lovely and festive for all the Christmas parties being booked,” Jones said.

The show opens Nov. 17, for silent bidding and continues through 6 p.m. Dec. 17. On the final night of bidding, there will be a holiday party, with carols sung, hot cider served and Santa making an appearance, Jones said.

“It’s pretty exciting. People enjoy giving to the charity of that item. We take care of making sure that the local charity gets the checks.”

Among those represented are Gabriel’s House, Youth Services, Stephens County Humane Society and even scholarships for the local nursing programs.

“We encourage classrooms to get involved and choose a charity,” Jones said. “This auction definitely brings out the best in everyone. Charities are always so pleased. And with everybody’s budgets strained, especially this year because of the economy, this helps those charities.”

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