Local downtown businesses light trees for good cause

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – It’s called trees for charity. Local businesses are each showcasing a uniquely themed holiday tree and raffling it off to benefit a charity of their choice.

Out of the 11 businesses in the Downtown Business Alliance that are participating, six are in the Cotton Exchange.

Elizabeth’s Ladies Boutique has one of the largest decorated trees. Owner Joan Smith decided to theme the tree around the charity she chose, Angel’s Among Us. The charity benefits brain cancer patients, which Smith says is a cause very close to her heart.

Her niece, Jennifer Denning Hockett was diagnosed with the disease in 1995 and passed away in 2001. Every ornament on the tree was donated by friends and family of Jennifer.

Port City Potter and Fine Crafts is donating their tree proceeds to Kids Making It, which helps at risk youth in Wilmington. Owner, Mary Holden-Hall says the ornaments on the tree add a very artistic touch.

“We have got 18 artists that work in the gallery and we are trying to get every one of them to make one or two ornaments for the tree,” says Holden-Hall.

The Black Cat Shoppe has the largest tree at seven feet tall. Named the Lindsay Tree, it has special significance.

“It’s named for Lindsay Miller who unfortunately and tragically was a suicide victim and our tree benefits To Write Love on her Arms, which is a group that was organized to help with depression and suicide amongst youth,” Black Cat Shoppe employee Lew Musser says.

Raffle drawings will take place on December 19th. For more information on particular locations or the charities involved, you can visit the Downtown Business Alliance website: www.dbawilmington.com .