MILFORD, Del. - The Milford Public Library has turned its second floor into a winter wonderland for yet another holiday season, with a unique display of seven Christmas trees adorned with seasonal decor. However, these trees are more than just festive decorations; they represent a heartwarming effort to support the homeless.
The library's annual Christmas Tree Extravaganza brings members of the community together for some friendly competition. Visitors who vote for their favorite tree with a monetary donation will be contributing to this year's recipient, Milford Advocacy for the Homeless.
Martha Gery, founder of the nonprofit, expressed gratitude for the community's support,
"It's just super great! I know there's a lot of organizations out there, so we're very grateful that we've been chosen."
The library's initiative goes beyond the decorations. Staff members have also been actively involved in creating a safe space for the homeless community, especially on cold winter days. Carolyn Tabor and Sarah Yatuzis, library staff members, have been providing assistance to those in need.
Yatuzis said, "We get to know some of them by name and we get used to letting them use the bathrooms and seeing if they need water or anything that day."
The library's fundraising efforts have already yielded approximately $1,500 for the nonprofit, but they hope to surpass their previous record of $5,000 from previous years. The community has played a significant role in achieving this goal, with local groups such as the Boy Scout Troop and the Boys and Girls Club contributing and decorating trees for the display.
To cast your vote for your favorite Christmas tree at the Milford Public Library, you can bring your vote to the library or you can mail it in. However, the trees will not be up after Dec. 27.