People for People Tree Lot Sale set for Nov. 19

en to their homes for the holidays can check out the People for People Backpack Program Tree Lot Sale on Nov. 19 at Thermopolis Middle School.

Judy Carswell with People for People noted the sale is the fundraiser for the Backpack Program, which provides kids in need with food to see them through the weekends. She further explained they utilize donated trees and wreaths, many of which come from people throughout the year. Though the greenery is already purchased, she asks people in the community to buy decorations for them. She added she typically gets pre-lit trees, which helps save some money.

The weekend before the sale, the trees are put up and decorated. Then the day of, Nov. 19, they are put up for silent auction all day so people can come, look and bid. Carswell said it’s amazing the amount of output she sees from the volunteers; she currently has about 20 trees, and people have volunteered to decorate 15 of them, as well as the 20-plus wreaths. People can choose to do the decorating on their own, or get their families, neighbors or churches involved.

This year, Carswell is also incorporating some pre-made wreaths to sell on Facebook, to allow those who can’t make it to the silent auction the chance to own a wreath. Those sold online have a set price of $25. Also this year, she said, they will have some tress specifically for outside.

Carswell said about $10,000 to $12,000 is spent annually on the Backpack program, and last year the Tree Lot Sale made over $5,000. She noted for the price people pay to buy and decorate their own trees, they can purchase one via the silent auction. Trees can also be delivered and set up the day after the auction, should auction winners request it.

The auction will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the middle school, though people are encouraged to come and check them out in the days leading up to the event.