Trees and wreaths on display at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Right between the Yeti coolers and the paint, beautiful Christmas trees and wreaths were on display at West Salem Ace Hardware. The Salem Dream Center held its “Dream Makers Holiday” tree auction on Nov. 14, 2021.
Guests on-site and at home bid on twenty-four trees and wreaths using the online platform 32Auctions. The charity raised over $20,000 on these items and more through donations and raffle ticket sales.
Xicha Brewing provided delicious food, and John and Betty Pataccoli served wine from RedHawk Vineyard and Winery.
Ace owner Jeremy Mackay acted as emcee. Salem Dream Center President Jessie Doneth helped gather the guests for an update on the fundraising goals.
The item that attracted the top bid at $4,500 was a 7.5 ft. tree entitled “Favorite Things” by Ashley Reynoso. The tree included felt ivory flowers, aged brass bells, and eucalyptus with bronze Christmas ornaments with 1,867 pre-lit branch tips. The tree came with additional treats like wine, whiskey, and blankets.
Salem Dream Center, a nonprofit located in West Salem, is operated by Craig and Renee Oviatt. It works to support children and families despite the less-than-ideal circumstances. Since 2004, the organization has worked to help families overcome poverty by providing educational services, mentorship, and food.
Anyone wanting to purchase a gift for a child can visit West Salem Ace Hardware at 820 Wallace Road N.W. and pull a tag off the giving tree. The QR code takes you to a site on Amazon where you can order a pre-selected gift to be delivered to the nonprofit.
Jessica Gay and Stephanie Compton check in guests at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Wreaths were auctioned at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Eastridge and Lori Tisdale attend the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Jeremy Mackay and Jessie Doneth go over program details at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
John Pataccoli serves Dr. Maricio Collada at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Craig and Renee Oviatt lead the Dream Center the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Desserts at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Giving Tree at the Dream Makers Holiday Event at West Salem Ace Hardware (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.
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