In a world of darkness, there was beautiful light at the DeKalb Community Complex last Monday night. Twenty-five beautifully lit, decorated trees adorned the hallway and cafeteria area for on-lookers to enjoy. The third annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Smithville Review, saw hundreds come to take in the beauty.

Though the trees are stunning, the main purpose of the event is to collect toys for a non-profit organization. This year’s recipient is Lighthouse Christian Camp. The event raised over 778 gifts for the local non-profit’s outreach program.

“What a great blessing this was for us,” said Bro. Michael Kilgore, director. “We picked up 778 gifts Tuesday morning. Praise the Lord! Thank you for helping make this Christmas so special for under-resourced children.”

More gifts were added as the week went on, with the final number of toys collected increasing and a second pickup necessary.

 Visitors voted for the trees in several different categories with the one collecting the most toys claiming the title of Tree of the Year. For the second year, Outreach Baptist Church claimed the top honor. The DeKalb Animal Shelter came in at a very close second place. The following very voted as winners in these categories: Prettiest Tree and The Tree You Want in Your Livingroom went to Old Fashion Freewill Baptist Church; Most Unique Tree went to DeKalb County Florist; Best Themed Tree went to Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney and Center Hill Title, LLC; and Most Touching Tree went to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home.

If you have not been able to visit and enjoy the beautiful trees, they will be up through the week of January 17, 2022.