Roanoke Sun

Botetourt Chamber of Commerce brings businesses and communities together to celebrate the holiday season at the third annual First Bank Tinsel Trail

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." Mother Theresa

 

And so, starts the holiday season in Botetourt County, a season of giving, celebration, family, and love. The spirit of the season will be on full display at the Third Annual First Bank Tinsel Trail event set to open on Friday, December 2nd. Organized by the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, the event brings together businesses and community members to create the magical setting of the Tinsel Trail in beautiful historic Fincastle. This year’s event features sixty trees decorated by area businesses. 

Opening night is Friday, December 2nd at 5:30 pm. The public will be welcomed that evening to music by the Lord Botetourt High School choir and the trees will be lit for the first time throughout town. Other activities taking place in town that night include a marketplace at the Kyle House, specialty tinsel trail drinks at 1772 Rooftop on Main, and a visit from Santa! Visitors to the event on opening night will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite tree and awards will be given to the best decorating teams. The public is invited to experience the Tinsel Trail during the month of December for self-guided walking tours. The trees remain up until January 1st. Visit the Chamber website to learn more about the First Bank Tinsel Trail at www.botetourtchamber.com/events.  

Several businesses participating in this year’s event wanted to donate their trees to non-profit organizations to decorate, giving them the opportunity to participate in the Tinsel Trail. The donated trees add excitement to this holiday event by bringing in organizations that might not otherwise be able to participate. They bring their talent and energy to the event as they create uniquely decorated trees that represent the mission of the work they do in the community. 

Khari Ryder, Executive Director of the Botetourt Chamber states, "We are happy to see the growing trend of our sponsors purchasing trees and donating them to non-profit and charitable organizations. This gesture continues to highlight the theme of partnership and of giving during the Holiday season. Through their decorations, the donated trees highlight the mission of the organization and at the same time showcase a way that spectators can help or contribute to the mission, assist a family or child in need, or even feed or house an animal in need. We hope to continue to nurture more of these charitable/non-profit organization partnerships, and see this event continue to grow and become a County wide showcase holiday event!"

Brittany Smith, Marketing and Communications Director for the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge said of the event, “We are honored to have a tree donated by First Bank, as they have been a wonderful community partner to our organization. Our team is looking forward to decking our tree out with some creative YMCA flare! The Tinsel Trail is a wonderful event that brings our community together, which is what the YMCA is all about.” 

Be sure to look for their trees when visiting the Tinsel Trail.

 

Friends of the Fincastle Library | Tree donated by a Daleville resident

Friends of the Fincastle Library is an organization dedicated to improving the materials and experience of the Fincastle Library. 

ARCH Services | Tree donated by a Daleville resident

Arch Services is an organization that helps families experiencing homelessness, addiction, and crisis.  

Rescue Mission of Roanoke | Tree donated by a Daleville resident

The Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter, meals, Fralin Free Clinic for the homeless, food pantry, recovery programs for addiction, clothing voucher program, summer day camp for residents of the Women and Children’s Center, and much more. 

Daleville/Fincastle Lions Club | Tree donated by Josh Werle at Edward Jones

They are best known for fighting blindness, but they also volunteer for many different community projects. This is the second year in a row that the Daleville/Fincastle Lions club is decorating a tree donated by Mr. Werle. According to Carole Smith, last year’s tree symbolized “The dedication we have in the Botetourt area.  In 2021, our members conducted eye screenings on students in all but two of the Botetourt Public Schools.  Starting in January 2022, we will visit daycares, preschools, and homeschool groups—all free services provided by members who volunteer. “

 

YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge and Botetourt County Public Schools | Trees donated by First Bank

The mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

It is the mission of Botetourt County Public Schools to ensure that all students participate in quality learning experiences necessary to grow, to adapt and to meet the challenges of responsible citizenship in a changing global society.

Family Promise of Roanoke | Tree donated by Winter’s Storage

Family Promise transforms lives of families experiencing homelessness.

 

Mill Mountain Zoo | Tree donated by The Pie Shoppe in Fincastle

The mission at the Mill Mountain Zoo is to promote an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and habitat preservation with quality exhibits and educational programs, and to work in cooperation with other animal conservation programs. Our facility advances three core beliefs: excellence in the implementation of the highest standards of animal care, conservation management of endangered species and fostering science education through its animal collection.

 

Angels of Assisi | Tree donated by HomeTrust Bank

Angels of Assisi is an organization that is changing the role of an animal shelter to include resources, programs, and services to benefit the pets in our communities and the people who love them.  

Original source can be found here