WILMINGTON — Over the weekend a “Trees of Hope” fundraiser stood tall with a community of 19 trees, while raising close to $2,000 and receiving feedback in favor of doing it again next Christmas season.

Residents had the chance to stroll among lit, decorated Christmas trees in a walk-through to benefit Wilmington’s Hope House: A Safe Place for Women.

“We received a lot of positive feedback from community members, with many of them expressing gratitude and excitement for us to do this again next year,” Hope House Executive Director Tammy Beery said Sunday night after the three-day activity ended.

The Hope House volunteer staff and board members consider it a success.

“Even though we did not reach our goal of $5,000, we believe the reception by the community, the excitement generated for next year’s event, and the awareness we raised for our women’s low-barrier shelter were, in themselves, invaluable. We look forward to doing this again next year,” said Beery.

Local organizations and businesses sponsored and decorated Christmas trees, and visitors were welcome to make a donation at the downtown Wilmington event, held at the former Books ‘N’ More space next to Jen’s Deli in the Masonic Building.

They also raffled off eight trees and other Christmas items.

The Ivory Chair hair salon won for the “Most Beautiful Tree”; Girl Scout Troop 35240 is the winner of the “Most Traditional Tree”; and Christ The King church won for the “Most Quirky Tree”.

And the winner of “Fan Favorite” is Girl Scout Troop 35240.

The Denver Elementary art club and Holmes Elementary art students provided Christmas art work, adding to the scene.

If somebody wants to help Hope House reach its fundraising goal of $5,000, they still can make donations by sending their tax-deductible financial gift to: Hope House, C/O Duane Earley, 1327 Ireland Road, Wilmington, OH 45177.

Hope House opened in Wilmington in October 2014. It is a drop-in emergency shelter that does not require identification, references, or sobriety in order for a woman in need to receive a bed. A lot of the women who walk through its doorway are struggling with an active addiction or fleeing domestic violence.

Since opening three years ago, they have sheltered more than 150 women.

Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.

Girl Scout Troop 35240 won both the “Most Traditional Tree” and “Fan Favorite”. From left are the activity’s Coordinating Decorator Jennifer McDermott, a daughter of Girl Scout troop leader Kim Green next to her mother, and Hope House Executive Director Tammy Beery. To see more photos, visit wnewsj.com.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/12/web1_girl_scouts.jpgGirl Scout Troop 35240 won both the “Most Traditional Tree” and “Fan Favorite”. From left are the activity’s Coordinating Decorator Jennifer McDermott, a daughter of Girl Scout troop leader Kim Green next to her mother, and Hope House Executive Director Tammy Beery. To see more photos, visit wnewsj.com. Courtesy photo

Local businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/12/web1_hope-trees-1-1.jpegLocal businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees. Tom Barr | News Journal

Local businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/12/web1_hope-trees-4-1.jpegLocal businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees. Tom Barr | News Journal

Local businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/12/web1_hope-trees-2-1.jpegLocal businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees. Tom Barr | News Journal

Local businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees.

http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/12/web1_hope-trees-3-1.jpegLocal businesses, churches and organizations decorated Christmas trees for the Trees of Hope Tour with proceeds going to Wilmington Hope House: A Safe Place for Women. The event was held over the weekend at the Masonic Building. Attendees could cast a vote for their favorite tree as well as enter a raffle to win one of the decorated trees. Tom Barr | News Journal