Christmas Tree auction moves downtown

This year, the Thermopolis Community Fund and People For People are bringing the Christmas Tree auction to the downtown area on Dec. 9. The tree auction, done through the community fund, had previously been at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center.

On the same date, People for People will be hosting a series of decorated campers downtown rather than their typical Holiday Tour of Homes.

Rather than having two separate events, the organizations are combining efforts to form one grand event, with benefits to each group. The tour of the campers, as well as a silent auction will begin at 3 p.m., and a live auction for the trees will begin at 6:30 p.m.

People For People is also having their Tree Lot and Chair-ity sale, with proceeds going to the Backpack Program, this Saturday, Nov. 18 at Thermopolis Middle School. But just because you like a particular tree and win it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep it.

Big Horn Basin Foundation Director Jessica Lippincott said last year she worked with People for People at the middle school auction to where, if people want to donate a tree to a family in town they can, and she would deliver it. The same option to donate will be available at both auctions this year.

Lippincott further noted people might have bought a tree at the middle school auction because they wanted to support the Backpack Program but later found they had no room for it. Just as she did last year, Lippincott is offering to deliver those trees to families in need.

Ten trees are expected to be at the middle school event, and around 20 for the downtown auction.

Lippincott is looking to be as unbiased as possible when selecting families as recipients for the trees, and to match the trees as best as possible based on the number of children, their gender and ages. Names will be drawn randomly, and she expects there will be enough trees for families.

Lippincott said people can also donate new toys to go with the trees, but they don’t have to and she’s not looking to take away anything from the Elf Tree event.

Those who want to submit a name for a tree can contact Lippincott at 921-2890, email Jessica@wyodino.org or contact her via Facebook.