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21st Great Tree Auction will benefit a children’s-dreams charity

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By Elaine Morris Roberts, Staff Writer Updated 7:21 AM Thursday, December 3, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — The 21st annual Great Tree Auction will feature about 30 fully decorated Christmas trees donated to raise money for charity.

This year’s event, Making Wishes and Dreams Come True, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Holiday Inn, 383 E. Leffel Lane.

“Most trees will be decorated by organizations and businesses, but we have a couple of trees decorated by Girl Scout troops and about six families did trees,” said Mike Frey, event coordinator.

Proceeds will benefit A Special Wish Foundation Inc., which grants wishes to children under 21 with a life-threatening medical disorder.

Frey, who has been involved with the event for all 21 years and served as coordinator for eight, said he’s hoping for a strong turnout this year, even though the economy is still slow.

Over the auction’s history, more than $100,000 has been donated to local charities, he added.

Kings Features characters Dennis the Menace, Betty Boop, Grimm from Mother Goose and Grimm and Beetle Bailey and Sgt. Snorkel will be on hand for photos.

There will also be a small gift shop featuring homemade sweets.

The families that decorated trees are all Special Wish recipients who wanted to give something back, Frey said.

The Candyland tree, decorated with game pieces and other paraphernalia from the popular children’s game, was donated by the Ivory family.

The Ivorys — Marcy and Joe and their four children — were granted a wish that took the entire family to Walt Disney World this year.

Grace Ivory, 6, has epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

“She’s received physical therapy and occupational therapy since birth,” Marcy said, “but she’s doing very well considering what the possibilities could be.”

The Ivory children chose the tree’s theme, which comes from their Disney experience. The family stayed at the Give Kids The World Resort, a facility designed specifically for children with special needs that features a life-sized Candyland playground.

“Participating gives us the opportunity to spend time together as a family,” Marcy said of her family’s time spent creating the tree. “With our busy lives, it gives us the chance to create memories.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.

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