If you’re planning to have a real Christmas tree this year, here’s a great chance to get a beautiful, fresh tree, and help some folks who need you at the same time.
The ARC of Anderson County sells the most beautiful, fresh-cut Christmas trees I’ve seen, along with wreaths and garland, at reasonable prices. DH Johnson, a longtime member of that organization, gets them from his farm (or his family’s farm, not sure which) in North Carolina, and has them ready for pickup within 2-3 days.
There’s an order form online, along with pricing and delivery options.
The ARC serves children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; sadly, many of these people — our neighbors, members of our own community — have little or no family to provide for their social and recreational needs, medical assistance, gifts for birthdays and holidays, or much of anything else.
It feels good to give where your help is needed and appreciated; it also feels good to get a quality product at an attractive price. To do both, at once, is better still.
If you’ve never visited a sheltered workshop (such as the Emory Valley Center), you’ve missed out. There, you will find men and women who have been dealt one of the roughest hands imaginable in the game of life, yet, they work cheerfully and industriously to contribute to society each and every day. Still, more is needed than they are able to accomplish on their own, so it’s up to us.