We Care Season Kicks Off, Celebrating 50 Years of Holiday Traditions
By BREE BRAGG
The Kokomo Post Staff
One of the area’s most iconic holiday celebrations returned this week, marking its golden anniversary.
Local nonprofit We Care, an all-volunteer fundraising effort that serves local organizations and individuals in our community, kicked off its holiday season this week. On Sunday Oct. 30, hundreds of supporters gathered at the Markland Mall to kick off the beloved Trim-A-Tree Festival, now in its 29th year.
Hundreds from local businesses and organizations came together as the mall closed to decorate more than 70 trees and wreaths now on display for the public to view.
While the Markland Mall will be flooded with people coming to see the grand display, you may notice that one thing is missing from Markland Mall and that’s the pop-up We Care store. This year, the store will be located inside the We Care building at 1700 E. Sycamore St., the former site of Aldi.
Becky Varnell, president of We Care, said that the response to the annual event has been incredible to see come together, as it does year after year.
“To see the community support from those participating with this fundraiser is overwhelming,” Varnell said.
She said watching the creativity and unusual ideas participants come up with is a joy to see.
The store will then shut down for a brief time to prepare for the re-opening in early December during the We Care Telethon. While favorites and We Care treats such as Doo-Dah, Stuff, caramel corn, chips, puffs and more will be available at the We Care store this year, you will also be able to get your hands on some new items celebrating the We Care Telethon’s 50th year, Varnell said. Beef, cheese and chives cheeseballs will be available at the We Care Store and Varnell said more varieties will be available during the We Care telethon.
New items include sun catchers, a puzzle designed by Patty Host, wine glasses, apparel and hats featuring the new 50th anniversary We Care logo.
“I am so humbled by the love and support the community has shown to We Care over the years. This will be my 47th year participating in this wonderful organization and the blessing you receive from giving to help those in need cannot be measured. Without the vision and determination of our Founder Dick Bronson, Charlie Cropper and We Care Jan, we could not have survived this many years,” Varnell said. “I know they are smiling and knowing their legacy is being carried on.”
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
The We Care Store will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Nov. 13
The Trim-A-Tree Festival auction will be held at 5 p.m., Nov. 13 at the Markland Mall
The We Care telethon will be Dec. 2-4 this year.
For more information, visit www.wecareonline.org