Meridian Ranch Recreation Center hosted the Amplify Events Inc. fifth annual Festival of Trees, from Nov. 19 to Nov. 26. The free event is one of the most popular traditions at Meridian Ranch.Individuals, businesses as well as charitable organizations donated decorated trees, which people bid on via a silent auction or on the Amplify Events Facebook page. The proceeds benefit needy individuals or charitable organizations. Each tree or wreath was delivered carefully wrapped to the highest bidder after the auction ended.The festival is growing in popularity each year. This year, there were 66 donated trees, said Stef Ruiz, the owner of Amplify Events. ìI brought this event here from Iowa. Where I grew up, they had a similar event,î Ruiz said. ìI decided to organize it so that businesses could give back to the community. I feel like the bigger the Colorado Springs metro gets, the more we are losing our small-town sense of community. We are losing our ability to connect with one another in ways that benefit the community at large.î Ruiz said the festival is a means to connect people, generate funds for nonprofits and highlight businesses and their generosity. She said the last two years raised more than $8,000 for local charities. ìWe are trying to meet our local community needs without reaching out to outside sources,î Ruiz said.On Nov. 18, the donors brought their trees to the venue and decorated them. The opening day, Nov.19, included a Falcon Food Truck Fest and Life’s a Snap Photo Booth with free photos. The auction ended Nov. 26 with Santa Claus, cupcakes from Kikiís Cupcakes and hot drinks from Electric Avenue Coffee.Schriever Air Force Base unit members, who were fundraising for their own unit for morale events, were among the first-time donors. Iced and Dazzle, a custom cake business, was fundraising for Icing Smiles, a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child. Kellie Rotenberry, director of All Godís Daughters Ministry, said, ìWe are an all-womenís ministry and we are doing this fundraising for our programs and community events.îEvent veterans like Nanaís Kitchen, were working on their tree for the fifth year in a row. Nanaís Kitchen has been supporting the same local Falcon charity James House, a boysí foster home, every year.Little Fins Swim School, also a fifth-time tree donor, always donates their treeís proceeds to the Colorado Childrenís Hospital. ìWe try to do a themed tree every year,î said Laurie Armstrong, a Little Fins owner. She said they had a mermaid tree with a swim theme.Trees had many themes this year, from the classic look to the fish-themed tree with fish ornaments and a fishing pole; the latter benefited Falcon Boy Scout Troop 149. There was also a pink tree adorned with sweets-and-treats-shaped ornaments; trees with snowman hands and feet decorations; and various other non-traditional trees. The charities vary as much as the tree themes, from childrenís charities, hospitals, churches, military and veteran organizations, animal shelters and rescues to art programs, womenís support groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops and more. The full list of the donors and charities are posted on facebook.com/amplifyeventsinc.ìItís an opportunity for many businesses to collectively raise a nice amount for local charities,î Ruiz said. ìNo one small business can donate $10,000 on their own, but we all get together and do one little piece, and itís a lot of help. Everything this event represents to me is about connectivity and togetherness.îRegistrations for the next yearís event usually start in August, and interested businesses, organizations or individuals should reach out directly to Amplify Events Inc. at 515-669-5528 for more information.
