Holiday Tree of Hope Heads Into Home Stretch

For more than 30 years, Holiday Tree of Hope has been collecting toys for children who are hospitalized during the holidays.

The non-profit organization serves over 40 hospitals, shelters, and Ronald McDonald houses each year, bringing smiles to children and families who are dealing with trying times.

This year, Tree of Hope is moving back to having an in-person toy collection event, with changes prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizers are asking for limited socialization at the collection site. Tree of Hope volunteers will be social distancing as the toys are dropped off, sorted, and bagged.

According to Tree of Hope organizers, the need for toys may be greater this year due to more children having COVID-19 when compared with last year.

Time is running out to work with flying clubs, EAA chapters, FBOs and friends to collect toys that can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 4, at St. Cloud Regional Airport's Hangar H2.

Tree of Hope organizers need new toys for infants to 18 years – board games, craft kits, dolls, trucks, books, and hand-held games are the greatest items requested.

Deb and Howie Klier have served as Tree of Hope event organizers for many years. In 2003, Howie took the lead for the Tree of Hope program for the Zuhrah Shrine Flyers. In 2010, the couple joined forces with Elaine and Glen Morrow to assume overall program responsibilities.

"Tree of Hope is an all-volunteer organization," Deb said. "Tree of Hope collects toys and monetary donations from the aviation community as well as the community in general."

Tree of Hope starts planning early in the year for the next holiday season. In August, organizers start contacting hospitals to determine if there are any changes in needs from the previous year.

Volunteer drivers are contacted to make sure they are still available to make the deliveries.

"We also contact the host airport and volunteers for the toy collection day," Deb said. "We send out communications to all the EAA Chapters, flying clubs and people who have been involved in Tree of Hope."

Toys are brought to a central collection site on the first Saturday in December. Past airport-based collection sites have included Maple Lake, Faribault, Mora, and Cambridge.

Earlier this year, Tree of Hope organizers tried to get a jump start on the project with a "Christmas in August" fly-out at seven airports throughout Minnesota – Anoka County-Blaine, Lake Elmo, Fairbault, Brainerd, Rush City, St. Cloud, and Alexandria.

"This was our first year participating with the Tree of Hope," said Alexandria Airport Manager Kreg Anderson. "Our FBO was contacted by Minnesota 99s [International Organization of Women Pilots] asking if they could set up a box for a toy drop-off. We happily agreed and had a box set up next to our front counter during the month of August."

Cheryl Daml is a Minnesota 99s member and Tree of Hope board member who has been involved with the event for the past six years.

"This was the first time we've tried an August toy drive," Daml said. "We had some donations, but found people aren't really thinking about Christmas that early. Still, it was good to get our name out there and make people aware prior to Dec. 4.

Daml said Minnesota 99s volunteers tag, sort, bag, and deliver toys.

"The first time I worked this event, I was overwhelmed with emotion because the toys just kept coming and coming, she said. "I got choked up over the generosity of the aviation community."

Jason and Michelle Tronerud are Tree of Hope volunteer drivers who deliver toys to hospitals. They began participating after meeting Elaine Morrow at the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering.

"We got involved because it's a great cause and we wanted to demonstrate to our two young boys that Christmas is about more than receiving, it's also about giving, and doing onto others," Jason said, adding he and his family deliver toys to Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis.

A couple of years ago, the Tronerud family was given a brief tour of the pediatric area, specifically the playroom where the Tree of Hope toys are stored.

"It really helped my boys, who were age 7 and age 9 at the time, understand the importance of our efforts," Jason said.

Monetary contributions can be made on the organization's donation site by scanning a QR code. Also visit http://www.HolidayTreeOfHope.org for additional information.