A Cochrane service club is bringing some Christmas cheer back to the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre for the seventh year in a row.
The local Lionesses are once again partnering with the recreation centre for the Festival of Trees beginning Dec. 3, all in the name of paying it forward.
The club's treasurer Eileen Stone said all the funds raised by the tree-decorating event stays within the community, although a benefactor has yet to be determined.
In the past, Stone said, organizations such as the food bank and Salvation Army were supported by the proceeds.
The longtime club member — since 1978 — said the club reaches out to businesses to sponsor a tree for $150.
"We set them up and all they have to do is come down and decorate it how they want it decorated," she said of the over six-foot, pre-lit trees.
"We used to have voting on the best-decorated tree," she said. "But we can't this year because of COVID-19. Instead, we will have someone come in and judge them and the winner gets a Christmas ornament saying they had the tree voted best decorated."
COVID-19 also pulled the plug on the event last year, Stone said. Noting club members had five trees ready to go before the order to shut down came down the pipelines.
"We left a few trees up," she said, despite the cancellation. "We thought it would be nice to make it look festive down there."
The past two pandemic years has been hard on the service club, Stone said, noting membership is declining as some age out and others are raising children, but morale seems low across the board — an issue not exclusive to the club, she said.
"We do Zoom meetings," she said. "They're not as productive and interesting as if you were to meet in person. It's not the same doing it over the phone as it is doing it in person in the den."
But Stone said the Lionesses are "hanging in there."
"The Lionesses are just moving forward, that's all, and bringing some cheer," Stone said. "We're inviting people to Spray Lakes to get some Christmas spirit."
So far, five trees are already sponsored and there's still more time for businesses to get one for themselves.
Stone said guests can expect to see some new businesses participating this year, including some restaurants.
Placards with sponsor information and titles for the evergreen masterpieces will be put on display with the trees at the main entrance of the sports centre until Jan. 2.
Those wanting to sign up to sponsor a tree can reach out via email at [email protected].
