The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) will hold its 11th annual Decorating the Trees for a Cause program as a virtual event this year. Businesses and organizations are invited to submit one photo of a decorated tree along with a charity of choice. All photos will be posted online for a virtual viewing and voting experience, and the charity of the tree with the most votes will receive a $2,000 donation check.
“Although this has been a year of challenges, we are excited to continue this popular event in a new way that effectively engages the community while helping a local charity,” said Ellen Bass, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Institute Conference Center. “We invite any business or organization to participate and join in this holiday tradition; this year, participants will benefit from our social media campaign and potentially reach new and wider audiences while continuing their role as a community-minded partner.”
To participate, businesses and organizations should complete the online form at bit.ly/decorating-trees and attach a photo of a decorated tree. All submissions are due by Nov. 18. The photos will be available to the public for voting at IALR’s Facebook page from 9 a.m., Nov. 30 – 4 p.m., Dec. 18. The winner of the online voting competition will be announced on Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. For more information or questions, contact decoratingtrees@ialr.org or (434) 766-6743.
Last year’s Decorating the Trees for a Cause program featured 44 trees. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s tree received the most votes, benefiting the United Way of Danville-Pittsylvania County. Foster Insurance’s tree received the second most votes, benefiting God’s Pit Crew. Since the program’s beginning in 2010, more than $117,000 has been raised for charitable causes.
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research is a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, conference center services and economic development efforts. It focuses on the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
