Beneficiary

Life Ministries Food Pantry

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In 1999, the Festival of Trees was started by Lynn Tyler and her committee as a way to help feed the hungry in the greater Wolfeboro area through Life Ministries Food Pantry. The Life Ministries continues to provide access to food security to qualified members of the community with dignity and respect. Sufficient food to prepare 12 meals per week for each family member is given on a drive through basis twice per month. LIFE Ministries is receiving a grant to continue this service at a much higher demand and cost. The budget for food purchases for this fiscal year has grown to $365,000, an increase from last year of 73%. The number of families has grown from 120 in 2022 to over 206 this last week. For more information go to https://lifeministriesfoodpantry.org

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The Children’s Center

The Children’s Center is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. Starting with 30 students in 1974, they now serve over 170 families today. The Center continues to grow and expand its high quality enrichment educational programs, and music is core to this by providing a means of communication and expression, the ability to differentiate sounds, and stimulation to the part of the brain that learns about language, speech and eventually reading skills. To further these goals, The Center has been awarded a grant to grow their music program by continuing their weekly music specials and obtaining a Akambira, a type of African xylophone, which installed on the playground would inspire youngsters to explore pitch, rhythm and melody through expressing their own creativity. The Children’s Center was the first beneficiary back in 2000 when the Festival of Trees expanded to other non profits in the area.  For more information go to https://www.thechildrenscenternh.org

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Wolfeboro Senior Program

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The Wolfeboro Senior Center works to meet the needs of our growing senior population. Their expressed purpose is to make longer lives better.  An on-line exercise program geared for the senior population has been successful in doing this since COVID. Over 40 seniors are actively involved three days a week, but the costs to maintain this program has grown. The Senior Center will receive a grant to continue and expand this program to ensure all can avail themselves. In addition, this program helps seniors mentally as they move into a digital world with apps and ever-changing technology and solves the problem of transportation. The Senior Center did receive a Festival of Trees grant in 2010 for their food program. They have recently joined with Parks and Rec to meet more successful engagement. For more information go to https://www.wolfeboronh.us/parks-recreation/pages/senior-program-information

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Crescent Lake School PTO

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Crescent Lake School PTO is a first-time recipient of a Festival Grant. The PTO, that serves grades 5-6 with a population of 181 students and 40 plus staff, is regrouping and reaching out after COVID. They are a totally volunteer organization and survive on donations and planned fundraisers. They need financial assistance to provide community events such as Trunk or Treat, distribute scholarships for winter sports and field trips, support staff functions, and especially repair the Gazebo. The Festival of Trees recently supported Carpenter PTO and saw the huge growth they accomplished over that year with some financial foundation. For more information go to to https://www.Crescent LakeSchool.org