'Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree'
Photo by CHANSE WATSON Trees like these are being auctioned at Shoshone County Courthouse and at Silver Valley Senior Center in Osburn as part of their annual fundraiser. The trees are custom-decorated and the winner gets to keep the tree and all of its accompanying accoutrement.
OSBURN — For nearly 30 years, the Silver Valley Senior Center in Osburn has been feeding the elderly citizens of Shoshone County with their Meals on Wheels program.
During that time, they have faced many hurdles including financial issues, vehicular issues and just about everything under the sun — but they have always overcome the odds and continued to help those in need.
Over the years, the Shoshone County Courthouse has been a vital part in helping Meals on Wheels raise funds to keep the stomachs of citizens full and the delivery vans operational by doing a special holiday fundraiser.
Currently in the lobby of the courthouse, several specially decorated and themed Christmas trees are being displayed in the main foyer and each one is up for auction to help raise money for the SVSC.
“It’s a lot of fun because several departments here at the courthouse put together a tree,” Susan Hendrixson said. “It also helps us here at the courthouse get into the holiday spirit.”
Each tree has a different theme, from traditional Christmas to whatever the designer wants. The silent auction allows anyone to place a bid, and the person with the highest bid takes home the tree with all of it’s accessories.
“All of the money goes to the Meals on Wheels program, we keep none of it,” Hendrixson said.
The SVSC is thankful for the help from the courthouse and that their plight doesn’t go unnoticed.
“We operate on a slim budget, so every dime we get helps,” Kathy Davis with the SVSC said. “We also have so many people that we help who can’t pay anything and then if you factor in vehicle maintenance costs, we really appreciate all the help we get.”
The bidding for the trees inside the courthouse ends on Friday, with the winners being announced on Saturday at the senior center.
For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, call Kathy Davis at the Silver Valley Senior Center at 208-752-1194 or visit the center at 726 E. Mullan Ave. in Osburn.