By Emily Younker
eyounker@joplinglobe.com
Lorie McCreary, of Joplin, circulated the booths of merchandise and crafts Saturday night, bidding on a karaoke machine.
“My son loves to sing,” she said.
McCreary was one of about 250 people expected Saturday for what could be the last “Tradition of Trees’ fundraiser for the Joplin Family Y.
Proceeds will be used for financial aid, which helps pay membership and program fees for those who can’t afford them at the Family Y. Organizer Pat Crespino said the event typically raises between $18,000 and $20,000 for the program.
“We’re of high hopes,” she said.
The event, now in its 28th year, featured two auctions at the Butcher’s Block Banquet Center. The silent auction included items such as children’s toys, gift baskets and food packages.
The oral auction featured decorated Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, original artwork and portrait photography. Crespino said everything in the oral auction was handcrafted specifically for the event.
The wreaths and Christmas trees, for example, were made by a four-person committee that has met weekly since Labor Day weekend, committee member Kerstin Landwer said.
“It’s really fun,” Landwer said of the task. “People can’t call it work.”
Landwer said the committee starts by visiting wholesale shops in Kansas City and Springfield, and “(we) find things that we think are cute or fabulous or different.”
The committee then finds items to match what they’ve bought and uses them to create a festive holiday tree or wreath. Landwer said the tree covered with snowmen and peppermints was her favorite.
Lucinda Copeland, of Webb City, said she and her husband have attended the “Tradition of Trees” for at least 10 years.
“We generally try to come to support the Y and the scholarships of the Y,” she said, “so that more kids can take advantage of the Y.”
Copeland, who has grandchildren, said she planned to bid on some toys and on “things that are a little different.”
Larry Hedin, who just moved to Joplin, said he also came to support the organization.
“It’s great for the community,” he said. “They (the Joplin Family Y) do a lot for the community.”
Hedin said he and his wife planned to bid on a few items. But “we’re still trying to make our rounds” to decide what to bid on, he said.
McCreary said the fundraiser provides an opportunity for residents to support a good cause.
“They (the Family Y) have always been more than willing to give scholarships to kids so they can (go to the Y),” she said. “I’m sad that this is the last year they’re going to do this.”
Saturday marked the final year for the fundraiser — at least for now, Crespino said.
“We feel like it’s kind of run its course, and it’s time to make a few changes,” Crespino said. “We’re going to take a few years off and see what happens.”
