Deck the halls of Driftwood Mall!
During the weeks of Nov. 21 to Dec. 5, Driftwood Mall is hosting its annual Christmas Tree Auction for YANA.
For 15 years, the mall has invited community members to decorate Christmas trees, which are displayed in the mall concourse and auctioned off to support YANA Comox Valley.
Local businesses, families and individuals get creative with these uniquely themed trees that celebrate the spirit of community giving. Auction winners take home a decorated tree, complete with gifts. Proceeds help local families who need to travel for the medical care of a child under 19 or a pregnant mother.
This Driftwood Mall tradition is a much-anticipated holiday event.
“We’re always excited to see which businesses participate and how the trees look,” says shopper Katie Faith. “For the last couple of years we have bid on a tree and donated it to a local family; we love that we’re supporting YANA at the same time. It’s a great way to give twice.”
The Comox Valley Airport is sponsoring a tree for the second year in a row. Last year’s tree, aptly named The Gift of Flight, garnered a winning bid of $2,500. Driftwood Mall businesses are big supporters of this event. London Drugs, Quality Foods and the Driftwood Lotto Centre will be decorating again this year.
Among the annual favourites is a tree donated by the Chalifoux family, with hand-painted gourds that celebrate a unique theme each year. Home Depot uses the colour orange to create its seasonal tree which this year comes with an electric hearth and stockings to hang on it. A weekend getaway at the Kingfisher, including a hydropath visit and some stocking stuffers from the spa, is a must see.
“MacKenzie Gartside always does a rainbow-themed tree with amazing gifts,” says Faith. “But there’s an ‘Elf on the Shelf’ tree from the Comox Valley Business Network that I’ll be bidding on this year.”
With more than 25 trees to view and bid on, it’s a great place for families to stop and have some fun deciding on their favourite.
“This is such a neat event to attend,” says YANA president Judy Cryer. “We are so grateful to the Driftwood Mall and all the wonderful businesses and individuals who donate these beautiful trees every year. We’re thrilled to be the beneficiary of such generosity.”
Viewing and bidding goes until Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. Winners take home their amazing trees on Sunday, Dec. 6.