Impromptu Fundraiser Decorates Tree and Helps Families
Philip Nolte and Shana Harter
Nicole Mayne loved Crane’s annual tradition of erecting a Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street, but she noticed that it was sparsely decorated, and she felt it could use some dressing up.
On Wednesday, December 8, Nicole Mayne began purchasing oversized ornaments for the tree on Main Street, intending to donate them to the city before realizing their fundraising potential. After contacting Crane Elementary, Mayne discovered that the school had a few families that needed adopting for Christmas. She took to social media, asking friends and family to sponsor an ornament for $20 apiece, with all proceeds going to the school. It proved to be a huge success, raising $1000 for local children and families in need in just a few hours.
A tag on each ornament bears the name of the individual or business that sponsored the decoration. On Saturday, December 11, those sponsors met Nicole at the tree to hang their ornament. Jessica Hilton from Simmons Bank gave away treats, 5B Kountry Market gave sponsors free coffee, and Rocking W Farm and Home chipped in free donuts.
Nicole hopes that this year’s impromptu fundraiser is just the beginning of a new Christmas tradition for Crane. “I think it’s something we can expand on,” she said. “There are all kinds of possibilities.” The community hopes to further decorate the tree next year while helping others in our community in 2022.
Nicole Mayne loved Crane’s annual tradition of erecting a Christmas tree in the middle of Main Street, but she noticed that it was sparsely decorated, and she felt it could use some dressing up.
On Wednesday, December 8, Nicole Mayne began purchasing oversized ornaments for the tree on Main Street, intending to donate them to the city before realizing their fundraising potential. After contacting Crane Elementary, Mayne discovered that the school had a few families that needed adopting for Christmas. She took to social media, asking friends and family to sponsor an ornament for $20 apiece, with all proceeds going to the school. It proved to be a huge success, raising $1000 for local children and families in need in just a few hours.
A tag on each ornament bears the name of the individual or business that sponsored the decoration. On Saturday, December 11, those sponsors met Nicole at the tree to hang their ornament. Jessica Hilton from Simmons Bank gave away treats, 5B Kountry Market gave sponsors free coffee, and Rocking W Farm and Home chipped in free donuts.
Nicole hopes that this year’s impromptu fundraiser is just the beginning of a new Christmas tradition for Crane. “I think it’s something we can expand on,” she said. “There are all kinds of possibilities.” The community hopes to further decorate the tree next year while helping others in our community in 2022.