MINOT – What started in Florida sunshine has found itself flourishing in the North Dakota winter. Eagles Wings Community Fellowship is once again selling Christmas trees to raise money for special causes.
“We sell the trees and give all the money to local and global missions.” Pastor Travis Hovde, Eagles Wings
“We sell the trees and give all the money to local and global missions,” said Pastor Travis Hovde, Eagles Wings. “Locally we support Youth for Christ here in Minot. They do a lot on our school campuses. They are present at Minot Air Force Base and active in the Juvenile Detention Center as well. They help kids.”
Half of the proceeds from every tree, said Hovde, stays right in Minot to help Youth for Christ. Some of the dollars will also go towards care and learning in southeast Asia and Cambodia.
The Christmas trees arrived this past Thursday, a day earlier than expected. Although the trees don’t go on sale until 9 a.m. November 26, Hovde says an exception was made for the first one. While unloading the truck that transported the trees to the big tent on the grounds of Eagles Wings, a woman stopped to purchase one.
“Her husband is in the COVID unit right now, recovering from COVID-19,” stated Hovde. “She wanted a tree to get ready for him when he gets out of the hospital to come back and celebrate the holiday together. That is just an example that happens all the time in this tent. We call them God moments.”
Site Director Dani Clements, Minot, said the Buy a Tree, Change a Life program is an endeavor she wanted to be a part of. Eagles Wings is one of 59 churches across 17 states that participates in the program.
“It’s a blessing just to see the faces of the people when they come in,” said Clements. “And we’re doing something Christmassy too. It’s a blessing all around.”
“We allow people to give trees to military families."Hovde
“Buy a tree and we’ll deliver it,” added Hovde. “We allow people to give trees to military families. We have connections at Minot Air Force Base. It’s kind of a win, win, win for the military, the community, and it’s just a good thing.”
The smell of fresh cut Christmas trees filled the tent where preparations were underway for the first day of sale. Tables were being brought in, some that will have hot chocolate and coffee served from them as part of the festive event.
A year ago the Eagles Wings Christmas trees sold out in six days. This year more trees were ordered to help meet the expected demand. A very positive aspect of the tree sales, said Hovde, is that eager donors have already covered the purchase price of the trees, ensuring the success of the fundraiser.
“It's definitely rewarding. It seems like every year more and more people come out." Dani Clements, Site Director, Minot
“It's definitely rewarding. It seems like every year more and more people come out,” remarked Clements. “The donations go up. The community gets it. They rally around us.”
Further information on the Buy a Tree, Change a Life program, including hours of operation for Christmas tree sales, can be found at eagleswingcf.com.
