Lake Barrington business helps Salvation Army distribute Christmas trees
More than 400 gently used Christmas trees have been donated to The Salvation Army as part of the second annual artificial tree trade-in program with Treetime Christmas Creations of Lake Barrington.
During October, the two organizations teamed up to encourage Chicago and Milwaukee area residents to donate their artificial trees for families in need. Donors received up to a 15 percent discount toward purchase of a new tree at Treetime Christmas Creations.
The Salvation Army will distribute the gently used trees to area families or sell them in thrift stores to benefit Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Some of the first families accepted their donated Christmas trees at an event last week at the Treetime Christmas Creations’ 50,000-square-foot showroom in Lake Barrington, while other families will receive their artificial Christmas tree later this month.
“Thanks to Treetime Christmas Creations, hundreds of families in need will not have to go without a Christmas tree this year,” said Envoy Dennis Earnhart of The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division.
This is the second year the business has done the trade-in program, and Joe Kane, who operates the business with his wife Laurie, said they have been overwhelmed by the response.
“Working alongside The Salvation Army has given us a real insight to the strong need that exists among area families who are struggling, yet still want to celebrate the holidays at home,” he said.
For more information, go to salarmychicago.org. Information on Treetime is at