At the first annual Charity Tree Auction, the only requirement is to pick a theme and decorate a pre-lit four-foot tree that has been given to you.
Then, select a chosen charity to receive the entire amount of the top bid on your tree.
Teresa Miller, the store manager at the Old World Cantebury Village Christmas store, said she got the idea by attending other charity tree festivals.
However she said some of the trees auctioned off cost thousands of dollars. She said her aim was to make this event more affordable for everyone.
‘Times are tough right now, so we wanted to find an inexpensive way to raise some money for charities and have some fun too,? said Miller. ‘This is a great way for businesses to get some really good advertising and raise money for their favorite charity at the same time.?
Miller said she has about 35 tree sponsors signed up right now and is particularly excited that they will have a tree decorated by the Pistons.
She said Waste Management will have a tree and expects to use recycled ornaments.
Carolyn Vagts, owner and manager of the Village Quilt Shoppe at the Old World Cantebury Village, said when she started talking to people about the idea, they were excited.
‘I went to a Chamber meeting and started talking about it and people said they wanted to jump on board,? said Vagt.
Some of the suggested local charitable and non-profit organizations Miller suggests are: the Orion/Oxford, Boys & Girls Clubs, FISH, Orion Historical Society, Kiwanis Club, Children’s Miracle Network, and Food Bank of Oakland County.
The day to decorate the trees will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the King’s Court Castle restaurant at the Olde World Canterbury Village.
The preview of the auction trees will be at the first ever kick-off party from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23 at the King’s Court Castle restaurant. The trees will be displayed.in the restaurant’s lobby.
The auction finale will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on December 14 at the King’s Court Castle with a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres and lunch and dinner coupons for the Clansman Gaelic Pub and the King’s Court Castle.