It is officially December, which means that it’s time for the annual Holiday Tree Auction here at BPHS! Every year, DECA holds a tree auction for Christmas trees decorated by the various clubs. Tickets are sold to help fundraise for the clubs.

Participating clubs receive tickets that can be bought inside and outside of school for $1. The trees have been available to decorate since Wednesday, Nov. 30 and will continue to be available to decorate until the end of the day Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The Tree Auction has been an annual tradition run by DECA for BPHS since 2014. Mrs. Emily Smoller, the DECA sponsor and organizer of the Tree Auction, enjoys this event for many reasons.

“It really has become a tradition,” said Mrs. Smoller. “It provides a festive and welcoming atmosphere for students and staff to enter each school day! Also, it can be a creative and team bonding activity for clubs to determine the theme, create decorations and decorate the tree. It provides the opportunity for clubs that need to fundraise to solicit donations for their club.”

These donations come from the tickets bought for the trees. It tends to garner a great amount of support, even receiving over $4,000 worth of donations/tickets sold for the event in 2019.

Local businesses can also benefit from this event. When asked how this event benefits them, Mrs. Smoller explained their role in the Tree Auction: “The Chamber of Commerce solicits monetary donations from local businesses. They use the money to purchase trees. I believe they were purchased at Michael’s this year. The local businesses benefit from the publicity they receive through their participation. The business name is displayed along with the club that decorated each respective tree.”

Along with the Tree Auction, DECA will be hosting a Santa Breakfast in conjunction with FCCLA on Saturday, Dec. 10. The Santa Breakfast was last held before the pandemic, in 2019.

Starting this Wednesday, students and staff will be able to purchase tickets for the trees. Look out for a member or advisor of the club you wish to donate to make your donation. On Dec. 19, one donor will be randomly selected to win the tree and all of its contents. Be sure to make a donation and support our clubs!