Decorated trees help brighten holidays for families in need

As Karen Burns, a volunteer at the Christian Associates of Table Rock Lake Thrift Store, made her way from tree to tree she has decorated from solely donated items, she pauses, and describes what the Christmas tree project means to her.

“It is a full circle, but more like a heart,” she said as she drew a heart shape in the air with her finger. “There are the people giving and there are the people receiving.”

She then added to complete the shape, “there are Christian Associates.”

As a retired florist Burns has found a way to do more than donate her time, but her talents as well, to the thrift store.

Last week, Burns began decorating old, donated Christmas trees with items, she along with other volunteers have found while digging through boxes of donated items. What she creates each time is a themed tree.

“Trees are such a part of the holiday. I think it brings brightness to the home during the winter gloomies,” Burns said.

The decorations that once brought happiness and joy to others, can now bring happiness and joy once again.

“On the side of donating, they don’t have the need, but it brightens somebody else’s Christmas,” she said, reaching to a handmade decoration and recalled hearing the story of a man who brought them in after his wife died.

For those who won’t be able to get their hands on one of Burns’ personally decorated trees, she hopes everyone who comes in to the thrift shop, leaves with a little inspiration.

“It is our gift to everybody in the holiday season,” Burns said. “It is all part of the big picture.”

She said she hopes to encourage people “to think beyond the box.”

Burns said people don’t need to spend a fortune, or anything really at all, to have a merry Christmas tree.

Trees Burns has already created include a bear tree, a snowman tree, a woodlands tree, a Victorian tree, a St. Nicholas tree, a framed card tree and a northwood Americana tree.

“Everything has been donated,” she said. “Some will be for sale and some for bid. Once they are purchased and out the door, I’ll be working on some more.”

Thrift store manager Char Elliott said she, as well as all the staff, are very appreciative of the joy the trees have already brought.

“It has got everybody in the mood,” Elliott said. “We are lucky to have Karen.”

For that matter, Elliott said she is really appreciative of her entire team of volunteers.

“We are a family,” she said.