{"id":62086,"date":"2021-11-16T08:31:45","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T14:31:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=62086"},"modified":"2021-11-16T08:31:46","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T14:31:46","slug":"arc-of-central-plains-hosting-annual-festival-of-trees-and-holiday-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=62086","title":{"rendered":"ARC of Central Plains hosting annual Festival of Trees and Holiday Market"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BY AUSTIN RUFF<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arc of the Central Plains is holding their third annual Festival of Trees and Holiday market this week. The event started November 12 and runs through tomorrow. Those interested can bid online for handcrafted holiday decorations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arc of the Central Plains is an organization committed to bringing enrichment and purpose to the lives of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through participation in activities, education and lifelong inclusion \u200bin every aspect of community life. The Arc hosts numerous events throughout the year, including six Special Olympics sports– basketball, bowling, cheerleading, softball, track, and volleyball–, as well as a 5K Club, bingo, disk golf, dance night, and Special Needs Easter Egg Hunt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning each January, usable items begin being sorted out of donations made to The Arc Thrift Stop. In June, volunteers Donna McKenzie and Joane Heier began crafting the beautiful holiday decorations from the donated materials. These decorations include Christmas trees, wreaths, porch and table decor, and many other holiday decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have made somewhere around 200 items this year. It\u2019s very exciting,\u201d Arc Executive Director Kathy McAdoo said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three years ago, the Festival of Trees featured only 13 trees, but with increased public enthusiasm and the introduction of online bidding during the pandemic, the fundraiser has seen enormous growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n