Festival of Trees and Craft Market Brightens the Holidays

Forsyth County is in for a special treat this holiday season with the Festival of Trees and Craft Market at the Collection. Hosted by the North Atlanta Kids Directory, the purpose is to bring the community together with a beautiful holiday event while raising money and awareness for local nonprofits.

This free, indoor event features beautifully decorated trees created by businesses, clubs, and nonprofits. Find out what the nonprofits are working to accomplish and how they can support the local nonprofits through volunteerism, monetary donations and donations of needed items.

Visitors will enjoy themed trees such as the Peacock Tree (Meals by Grace), the Norman Rockwell Tree (The Encouragement Project), The Puzzle Tree (Creative Enterprises), The Gnome Tree (Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier), and the Santa Tree (CASA of Forsyth).

One tree that stands out is the giant Transformation Tree representing Family Promise who serve area homeless families. Executive Director Tina Huck says, “Our tree has 600 blank ornaments on it representing 600 Forsyth County students who are homeless. Our goal is to transform the tree to color, one ornament at a time, just as Family Promise transforms our community, one homeless family at a time. When attendees donate $10 or more at the Festival of Trees, they can pick an ornament, color it and put it back on the tree. We hope all 600 ornaments will be transformed to color by the end of the event on December 19. Thank you to Kiwanis Club of Cumming for sponsoring our tree!”

Visitors of the Festival of Trees will also be able to browse holiday gifts at the Craft Market inside the space, sip hot chocolate, listen to holiday music and performances, take pictures at the photo wall, bid on silent auction items, and even play the piano set up by Pianos for Peace.
Families can plan a fun-filled and festive afternoon at The Collection now through December 19. In addition to the Festival of Trees, kids will enjoy visiting Santa at his workshop and riding in the Holiday Train. Two doors down from the Festival of Trees space, shoppers will find Christmas Confetti filled with holiday gifts and decorations. Festival of Trees is located between Lenscrafters and Rackroom Shoes at the Collection,410 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041

Tree sponsors include South Forsyth Key Club, Kiwanis Club of Cumming, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, Kiwanis Club of Forsyth County, Crunch Fitness, Carrabba’s, Huntington Learning Center - Cumming, Rotary Club of Lanier, and Dental Town.

Participating nonprofits include Creative Enterprises, The Place of Forsyth, Jesse’s House, Bald Ridge Lodge, BMore Learning, Forsyth County 4-H, Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters, Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier, Meals by Grace, Family Promise,The Encouragement Project, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Keep Forsyth County Beautiful, and Adventure Bags.

Pianos for Peace sponsor is Vivo Music and Arts. The photo wall sponsors are Tracee Randall - Your Finishing Touches and Jessica Holt - The Art of Science.

Hot Chocolate provided by Wild Wing Cafe at The Collection, sold by BETA Club of South Forsyth High School benefiting Make a Wish Foundation.

North Atlanta Kids promotes local business through print, online, social media, and email platforms. They publish local family guides including Camp Guide, Back-to-School Guide, Party and Entertainment Guide delivered around Cumming, Alpharetta and Johns Creek. They also organize events including the Food & Fun Fest, Summer Camp Expo, Family Fun Day, Halloween and Holiday Fairs and Festival of Trees.

The Trees represent the following nonprofits:
Adventure Bags serves displaced children across the state of Georgia offering them book bags filled with hygiene essentials and comfort items during uncertain times. Thank you Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for sponsoring their tree. (678) 425-0316
Bald Ridge Lodge provides a safe haven and counseling in a therapeutic environment for boys who are in need of protection, direction and supervision, in a manner that nurtures the child, strengthens family relationships and allows the community to care for their own. (770) 887-1220
BMore Learning stands in the gap between education and the business world, encouraging parents and equipping students on their journey to independence and success in the real world. Thank you Kiwanis Club of Forsyth County for sponsoring their tree. (678) 457-4778
Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier provides a fun, safe and positive environment for youth ages 6 - 18. Whether after school or during the summer, local kids develop the skills and relationships they need to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Thank you Crunch Fitness for sponsoring their tree. 770-532-8102
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): CASA’s programs screen, train, and support volunteers to provide individualized advocacy for innocent children who are victims of neglect and abuse. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the court and remain involved in the case until the child is placed in a safe, stable, and permanent home. (678) 679-3838
Creative Enterprises provides employment opportunities along with social and life skills training to individuals with disabilities through on and off-site work training, job placement assistance, educational programs and community involvement events. (770) 962-3908
Family Promise of Forsyth County serves families who are experiencing homelessness. In cooperation with community churches and volunteers, Family Promise provides a safe place to stay and meals along with programs and supports to help the families gain or regain sustainable independence. Thank you Kiwanis Club of Cumming for sponsoring their tree. (678) 476-4657
Forsyth County 4-H provides experiences for young people to learn by doing. 4-H’ers complete hands-on projects in Agriculture and STEM, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement. They receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles. (770) 887-2418
Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters operates the largest cage-free, no-kill shelter in the Southeast for rescued cats and Sadie’s Place, a no-kill shelter for rescued dogs. Their mission is to rescue homeless animals; provide them with the best medical care and nurturing environment; and find them a forever home. (678) 624-1003
The Place of Forsyth serves families with emergency basic needs in difficult times since 1975. Programs include a food pantry, community garden, workforce development initiative, and thrift store. Thank you South Forsyth High School Key Club for sponsoring their tree. (770) 887-1098
Jesse’s House is an emergency and long-term shelter for females ages 7-21 who have been removed from care due to abuse and neglect. Jesse’s House provides a nurturing environment to help them heal from past trauma. Thank you Dental Town for sponsoring their tree. (678) 947-6217
Keep Forsyth County Beautiful helps engage citizens in beautification, litter reduction, water quality, and recycling through education and community involvement. Thank you Lanier Forsyth Rotary Club for sponsoring their tree. (770) 205-4573
Meals by Grace is a no cost, meal program focused to help feed children and their families. These families may have limited or unreliable transportation, experience frequent food insecurity or are working to overcome a major health or work loss event. Thank you Carrabba’s at The Collection for sponsoring their tree. (470) 302-5374
The Encouragement Project strives to encourage and support those who are needy and alone with gifts of time, service and provision. Through service projects they have created, The Encouragement Project provides connections for individuals to be involved in the community.