When Aurora Theatre made Downtown Lawrenceville its home 11 years ago, they faced a challenge.
"We did not have the decorations for a lobby of this size. And we did not have the money as a non-profit to purchase decorations," Al Stilo, Director of Sales and Marketing said.
Thanks to the quick thinking of a former volunteer the theatre started the Festival of trees.
"Giving local business and organizations the opportunity to represent themselves in this great community gathering space," Stilo said.
Nearly 30 trees are on display in the Aurora Theatre.
Like any competition there are judges, the community. Visitors come in and vote by donating non-perishable food items or a toy.
Stilo says the food goes to local co-ops and food banks, while the toys are donated to Toys for Tots.
According to Stilo, the last few years they've donated about two tons of food on average. They've also received enough toys for 2,000 kids.
"So that's not just one toy per child,that's what they've told us," Stilo said.
The Festival of Trees last until the final performance at the Aurora theatre on December 23rd.
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