Local group plans on gifting 200 Christmas Trees this Season to Hurricane Harvey families.
KATY MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER, 2017
By Ginny Ebben
When Harvey hit Katy last August, it devastated homes, cars, memorabilia, and even sentimental holiday items of thousands of families across Katy. “Next to throwing out the piano, my Christmas tree was the hardest thing," says Jen Ingram, a Canyon Gate resident whose family lost all their belongings in the flood. "That tree represented the past 13 years of Christmases, with my kids and family, and everything that means. I have always loved Christmas and it broke my heart to throw out that tree.”
Hannah Pease, a Cinco Ranch resident, wanted a way to bring some Christmas joy into the hearts flooded families like the Ingram's so she rounded up other like-minded volunteers and formed Trees of Hope, a Facebook-action campaign, where donors can purchase trees for families.
How to donate
The trees are purchased directly from Walmart and are shipped to the Trees of Hope drop off location in Katy. Donors may click the Walmart Wish List link to purchase a tree for a flooded family. Trees of Hope plans to deliver 200 4’ or 6’ Christmas trees to people who flooded during Hurricane Harvey starting Friday, November 17. You can also contact the group if you have other ways you'd like to donate.
More than trees
The group will also gift tree toppers, Harvey-inspired Christmas Cards, and ornaments made by children from James Williams Elementary’s Read, Deed and Run program. “Hopefully Katy families can concentrate on their walls, floors, and kitchens and we can provide a bit of Christmas joy,” says Pease.
Extras for donors
Pease is collaborating with others in the community to encourage donations.
Any monetary or Christmas tree donation comes with a set of five Christmas cards specially created by local artist, Liliana Delgado. "The artwork for these cards has special meaning," says Delgado, “The halo around the star represents God's hope. The hearts represent the love and generosity of people near and far who have given so much for this city to help recovery. The water in the background is "Harvey" and the pain he caused that we must acknowledge. The tree stands on dry ground after the storm. The orange and blue "ornaments" are the hands we collectively hold as we rebuild together.” Pease has found the local business community receptive to helping package these gifts. Print-o-Graph America, on Westheimer Road turned Delgado’s design into 500 printed cards, Office Depot, Westheimer Parkway donated envelopes.
Proud Pie Gift Cards
Proud Pie of Katy donated four $25 gift cards which will be part of a lottery for donors. The drawing will be held November 18, 2017.
Donations accepted through November 15.
The campaign ends November 15 so that Pease and friends can have time to deliver trees to individuals on the list.
All monetary donations will go towards the purchase of more tree toppers. For more information go to Trees of Hope Katy on Facebook. Those people who flooded and would like a tree can go to the Trees of Hope Katy Facebook page to sign up to receive a tree. You can also email Hannah Pease at treesofhopekaty@gmail.com
Pictured above: Isabel Ebben, Seanna Pease, and Hannah Pease (adult). Photo by Ginny Ebben.