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Trees of Cheer raises over $5,000, decorates trees for families in need

Event raises more than previous year
Smiling beside the evergreen they’re decorating at this year’s Trees of Cheer at the Beacon Inn in Lewes are in back (l-r), Susan DiMondi, Summer DiMondi and Sarah Richards. In front are Richards brothers Charlie, 6, and Max, 8. ELLEN MCINTYRE PHOTOS
Ellen McIntyre
December 7, 2024

Lewes community members came together for the fourth annual Trees of Cheer event Dec. 1, to raise more than $5,000 for the Ronald McDonald House and decorate 88 Christmas trees for local families in need.

The event, hosted at the Beacon Inn by Chelsea Bristow, Realtor of the Carrie Lingo Team, enabled locals young and old to spread holiday cheer by picking out a small Christmas tree to decorate. Half of the decorated trees will be donated to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, while the other half will go to Cape Henlopen School District families.

This year’s event raised about $2,000 more for the Ronald McDonald House than last year’s event.

Not only did the event help to teach kids acts of service and to spread holiday cheer, but it also helped to educate families of Sussex County, Bristow said. The county is home to 18% of people benefiting from the Ronald McDonald House, a number many residents are not aware of, Bristow said.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and even the Grinch attended.

 

Pierce Kenton, 5, smiles with an ornament beside the Christmas tree his family is decorating.
The Manieri family members smile while decorating at this year’s Trees of Cheer event at the Beacon Inn.
Olive Manieri, 3, hangs an ornament on the tree her family is decorating this year for a family in need.
Debbie and Bob Rementer show off the evergreen they decorated at Trees of Cheer.
Kaitlyn Freel smiles with her 3-year-old son Beau next to the tree they decorated this year for a family in need.
Becky McCarty makes quick work of decorating her tree.
Layton Kenton, 3, stands with the Grinch at this year’s Trees of Cheer.
Julie Lamborn decorates a tree with mirrorball ornaments.
Ivey Helmick, left, director of philanthropy at the Ronald McDonald House, poses with her daughter Audrey at this year’s Trees of Cheer event.
Charlie Richards picks out an ornament for his family’s tree.
Nicole Pierce, left, and Kathy Weiss volunteer at the Trees of Cheer event in Lewes.
Leitner sisters Willa, 4, left, and Virginia, 2, smile by their mother at the Trees of Cheer event.
Tripp Silicato, 8, sits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

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