Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND – Christmas is a time of giving and there are many opportunities in the Worland Community for people to give to help others this Christmas. No matter what your giving style there is sure to be an event that will suit you.

Festival of Trees tonight benefits many organizations

The 30th annual Festival of Trees hosted by the Pinnacle Bank, is a perfect way to jump start the holiday season. Last year the event generated $28,140 for 38 community charities and non-profit organizations. Local organizations, businesses and individuals decorate trees, wreaths and create miscellaneous items which are auctioned off.

"By purchasing one of the items you will be helping one of the many worthwhile charities or non-profit organizations in our community that desperately need our help," Pinnacle Bank President Gil McEndree said.

This year there will be 22 trees, 14 wreaths and numerous miscellaneous items auctioned off at the Worland Community Center Complex located at 1200 Culbertson Ave. "there will be miscellaneous items such as quilted wall hangings, flower arrangements and window decorations," Festival of Trees coordinator Anna Bradshaw said.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Friday with the fourth and fifth graders from Worland's South Side Elementary singing carols, while perspective buyers view the holiday display and make their selection.

The items will remain at the Worland Community Center Complex until Saturday afternoon on display for the public with live music until 1 p.m. "Saturday the items will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. with a plaque which tells who decorated the tree and who purchased the tree," Bradshaw said.

Memory Tree

The Memory Tree, outside of the Worland courthouse on 1000 Big Horn Ave. is adorned with CDs decorated and hung by the Special Olympics athletes. Each CD has the name of a person who has passed away or for a person to be honored.

"For a $5 donation to the Special Olympics, a name can be placed in memory of a loved one who has passed on or in honor of someone living who holds a special place in your heart. An invitation can be sent to one person, per order, to let them know about a special ceremony that is held, where all the names are read aloud," Washakie County Special Olympics coordinator/ director Yvonne Bryant said.

Order forms can be obtained at: Rocky Mountain framing, Big Horn Federal Bank, Perfect 10 Nail Salon, O.W.L. Unlimited and Bryant Funeral Home.

The Memory Tree ceremony is at 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Worland Community Center Complex at and includes a message from a clergy member and music. There will be refreshments and a social time after the ceremony.

"Many of those who attend the ceremony for the first time are experiencing their first Christmas without their loved one. As they look around the room, they are amazed to see so many families feeling the same way that they do. We hope that this little program can bring peace to people in remembering those who have gone on before us and yet are still so fresh in our memories that it hurts," Bryant said.

All proceeds from the Memory Tree CD decorations stay in the community and help the Special Olympics athletes. "Washakie County Special Olympics is very appreciative of the generosity of our community! It's nice to know that the community stands behind us in keeping our program running. Special Olympics is not only fun, but it is something that allows the athletes to participate in healthy activity for exercise and socialization," Bryant stated.

Christmas Basket and food pantry

The Washakie County Ministerial Association sponsors a Christmas basket program every year to help make sure that needy families are able to have a Christmas dinner. "Last year the Christmas basket program was able to help about 150 families and individuals," Washakie County Ministerial Association President Mike Martinson said.

Needy families and individuals sign up for the program in November and receive their Christmas Basket around the Dec. 18. The Ministerial Association is funded by the local churches and purchases almost all of the items incorporated in the basket. Volunteers put the baskets together for pick up and in some situations delivery. "We are in need of donations and volunteers," Martinson said.

The food pantry is also run by the Washakie County Ministerial Association and is always in need of donations, especially at this time of year. The food pantry is always in need of donations of food but they also need donations of items such as toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes etc. At this time they are running low or are out of items including toilet paper and paper towels along with food items such as juice, soup, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and canned fruit.

"Anyone interested in donating to the Christmas basket program or any of our other services may do so by sending the donations to: Washakie County Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 851, Worland, WY 82401," Martinson said.

Food and toiletry donations can be brought to the food pantry at 620 Big Horn Ave Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. or by scheduling a drop off time by calling 1-307-347-6123.