The Greenbrier’s Create a Dream Tree for Kids
For more than two centuries, families from all around the world have visited The Greenbrier, especially during the holidays. This year, resort owner Jim Justice and The Greenbrier team are making a remarkable commitment to help families in need. Today, Justice announced the resort’s “Create a Dream Tree for Kids” which will donate over $1 million in toys and clothes to charity. Of the thousands of gifts, 80% will be toys and clothing for children and the remainder will be apparel for adults.
Charitable organizations can register online at www.greenbrier.com between today and December 2, 2011 to request consideration.
This is where the Christmas tree will stand. Some of the gifts wrapped awaiting for the tree!
“Every child should have something to open on Christmas morning,” said Justice. “I have been incredibly blessed in my life, but to me, the most important thing is giving back. Imagine a family who is struggling to get by each day, then on Christmas morning, they each have gifts to open. Christmas is about giving and hope. We want these gifts to bring happiness and hope to those that need it most.”
The resort’s retail team has already purchased over 9,000 toys, including Adora Wizard of Oz dolls, ride-on toys, oversized stuffed animals and remote-controlled helicopters. “This has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. Everyone here is so excited about this and they can’t wait to help wrap the gifts,” said Becky Hogan, retail buyer for the resort’s toy store, Fizzy’s Land of Oz.
For those who wish to help, Justice provided three options:
- Donate a new, unwrapped toy at any of the resort’s retail shops.
- Give a cash or personal check donation to the Front Desk. (Checks should be made payable to Old White Charities.)
- All donations must be received by December 13, 2011 and all are tax deductible. Receipts will be provided.
At the press conference today, Justice recalled when he started playing the role of Santa Claus. "I was asked by the minister of a church in Crumpler, WV, located in McDowell County to play Santa. I did not have a Santa suit and probably could not find one to fit me. The minister said he would find one. Since I didn't want a suit with tights or something unsuitable, I had a Santa suit made for me. The night I played Santa, a little girl with pigtails and glasses was walking up to me and I was told that she had brain cancer and would be having surgery in two weeks. She got up on my lap and I asked her name. She said it was Snowflakes and wanted to tell me that she loved me and that I needed to be loved. These kids have nothing...so for all the Snowflakes out there.... this tree is for you", said Justice.
Now every year Justice plays Santa at the Lighting of the Greenbrier Christmas Tree and enjoys seeing the smiling faces of children when he appears on his sleigh.
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Local events are brought to you as a courtesy by Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Stuarts and Watts.
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