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Christmas Tree Jubilee: Giving Back to the Community

Tuesday, November 27, 2018 - 12:15pm
Tami L. Johnson

Every year, at the end of November, you can celebrate the Christmas season a little early by going to the Weber School District Foundation Christmas Tree Jubilee. Rows of beautifully decorated trees, all with a specific theme, adorn the hallways and rooms within the Ogden Eccles Center on Washington Blvd. in Ogden.  Although this event is over for now, it will continue to warm the hearts of many homes within the Ogden Valley throughout December.

The mission statement for the Weber School District Foundation is to, “Raise and provide funds to enhance educational goals and opportunities for students. To achieve this purpose, it shall be the Foundation’s priority and goal to accomplish the following:

  • Provide direct, worthwhile educational benefits and enhanced learning opportunities to students which typically would not be provided by the District because of limited available funds or other such constraint.
  • Provide benefits and opportunities that focus directly on challenging, assisting and motivating students to reach out and achieve their full potential for learning.
  • Provide recognition of positive and exceptional educational achievement by students, faculty, and staff.
  • Provide opportunities to students, parents and members of the community to increase their quality of life by expanding their commitment to education.”

With this being said, you can really get a feel for the outpouring of love the community has for one another here at the Weber School District Christmas Tree Jubilee.

Several elementary school choirs came to perform for their families and the public.  My own son performed with his school choir. They wore Santa hats and choir shirts while sharing with us the beautiful songs they have practiced for many weeks. A new song titled, “Thankful” was sung to remind us of our blessings surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Weber District Foundation creates a gorgeous array of newly decorated trees every year.  One tree that stood out to me was one dedicated to Major Mayor Brent Taylor who recently passed away on November 3rd while serving in the Utah National Guard on a deployment to Afghanistan.

 

With many broken hearts in the community, who are grieving over his death, this tree was a fitting tribute to the Taylor family.  Decorated with a giant American flag in the background, pictures of Major Taylor in his uniform, USA in gold letters sitting in the tree, the word “Thankful” below and many other sentimental items that reflected the valiant life Major Brent Taylor. Guests were invited to offer any donations on behalf of the Taylor family.

A beautiful frame stands in front of the tree with the words, “Remember that we have far more as Americans that unites us than divides us. United we stand, divided we fall. God bless America.” -Major Brent Taylor

Another lovely tree, dedicated to the Taylor family, and decorated by Orion Junior High PTSA, was also at the Christmas Tree Jubilee. Signs with sayings such as “Proud to be a Military Family” and a family picture of the Taylors with the words, “My Hero” were sitting just below the tree.  Red, white and blue colors surround the greens of the fir tree creating a very patriotic feeling as you looked on.

Everywhere you look you’ll notice each of the trees symbolize love. Love from the hands of those who care and want to reach out to help their friends and family within the Weber School District.   Many thanks to all the volunteers and organizers of the Weber School District Foundation’s 2018 Christmas Tree Jubilee.

 

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