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Date: 11/23/2022
WESTFIELD – Bids for Westfield on Weekends’ (WOW) annual Tree Jubilee are open online at westfieldonweekends.com through Dec. 7, and the holiday decorated trees and wreaths, many containing gift certificates to local businesses, are available now to view in person at Roots Athletic Center, 181 Root Road, in the lobby outside of Reminder Publishing offices.
“This is the fifth year we are holding our annual Tree Jubilee as part of Westfield on Weekends’ DecemberFest,” said organizer Lisa Sunderland Burns. “We are fortunate enough to increase our displays every year.”
Sunderland Burns said there are 42 displays this year, including 26 trees, 11 wreaths and five tabletop displays. New this year with trees are the Westfield Starfires, Dunn and Phillips PC, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, City Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, the Westfield Self Advocacy Group, and St. Mary’s.
“This is the first year that St. Mary’s is participating in the Tree Jubilee. We wanted to reflect St. Mary’s and our values. The ornaments are wood, and have sayings about blessings, family and kindness, to be something someone would enjoy having in their home for Christmas,” said St. Mary’s Director of Institutional Advancement Hope Tremblay.
Tremblay said the four-and-a-half foot tree comes with “Saints swag,” an adult and youth sweatshirt, an adult and youth winter hat and a travel tumbler. “We’re just excited — all the trees are gorgeous. We hope whoever wins ours is excited to have something from the Saints,” she added.
Sunderland Burns said there are many donors who have been a part of the Tree Jubilee since the fundraiser started, such as Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, Westfield Kiwanis, Westfield Boys & Girls Club, The Sullivan Family, Westfield Homeless Cat Project, Reminder Publishing (publisher of The Pennysaver and The Westfield News), Westfield Fire Department Local 1111, Wagner Rug and Flooring, state Sen. John Velis, City Councilor Michael Burns and City Councilor William Onyski.
“I am overwhelmed with the amount of generosity our donors have offered as gifts to accompany their displays,” she said.
Sunderland Burns, who has a degree in fine arts and loves to decorate, said she had the idea for a tree and wreath display when she contacted Bob Plasse, president of WOW, and board member Amy Tosi almost six years ago, who welcomed the idea of doing it as a fundraiser for Westfield on Weekends. She said the first year they had 25 displays, and have now almost doubled in size. Her goal is to raise $5,000 for WOW’s artistic and cultural events that are offered throughout the year.
“I am blessed to have my family and friends help me with this throughout the year as we shop and make many of the ornaments and wreaths on display. My mom has helped me every year with decorating the trees. My son, Jason Edinger, is very handy with woodworking. He made the wood tree for his wife and mother-in-law’s display, Salon Palm. My son, Jeffrey Edinger, and husband, Mike Burns, help with physical work of setting up the trees and carrying in all the boxes. This really is a family event,” she said.
Sunderland Burns said last year, people mentioned that they would like to have the Tree Jubilee on display for an extra week, so this year they decided to start the raffle one week earlier, kicking off before Thanksgiving.
Raffle tickets may be purchased online at westfieldonweekends.com at three tickets for $5, 10 tickets for $10, 25 tickets for $25 or 75 tickets for $50, beginning on Nov. 21. The raffle ends at midnight on Dec. 7.
Winners will be randomly selected electronically on Dec. 8, and will be contacted by a Westfield on Weekends representative by phone or email. Winners will also be posted on the website.
All prizes must be picked up on Dec. 10 between 10 a.m. to noon at 181 Root Road, Westfield. Identification will be required to confirm the winner in order to claim the prize.
Anyone may visit Roots during its open hours to view the trees, regardless of whether they enter the raffle.
“I just love seeing everyone walk through the door and comment on how beautiful the displays are. The kids get so excited to see what is on the trees. There are families who come every year to take their Christmas photo in front of the trees,” said Sunderland Burns.