North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Friends deck the Shore
They’re crackers about Christmas, have a passion for doing good, and even share the same name.
Friends Raewyn Butler and Raewyn Bayer have teamed up to create a Christmas showcase in Albany, featuring more than 200 trees, to raise money for the Salvation Army.
Together, they’ve made more than 50 trees for the four-day exhibition.
The collection also includes 20 trees that Bayer made for her own Christmas tree fundraiser in Hamilton in 2014.
The pair met by chance when Butler, who also works for the Salvation Army as a public relations coordinator, stayed at Bayer’s bed and breakfast while attending Fieldays in June.
‘‘Raewyn walked in, noticed I had the odd alternative tree still around and said, ‘Did I like Christmas?’,’’ Bayer said.
‘‘[We] got onto the fact that I’d had a fundraiser... and [she] asked me if I thought it would be a good fundraiser for the Salvation Army.’’
Bayer agreed to help put the Auckland event together and has been travelling up to the city weekly to prepare since July.
Both women put their love of Christmas trees down to the fact that neither had one - or at least for Butler, not a ‘‘real one’’ - while growing up.
Alongside the traditional trees, there are some made from materials such as glass bottles, wood, men’s ties, books, blankets and even the wing of a World War II aeroplane.
Community groups and businesses have contributed, including a food can tree from Countdown and a tree made from recycled milk bottles from Natural Steps Albany Early Childhood Centre.
There’s also a memory tree, where people can write messages to absent or lost loved ones on wooden hearts.
Butler said the event is an important fundraiser for the Salvation Army.
‘‘There’s a lot of families that don’t have a special Christmas Day, so the funds raise will enable families to experience Christmas,’’ she said.
Bayer’s original showcase was in memory of her late husband and raised $20,000 for Hospice Waikato.
Both said they hoped the Auckland show would bring festive joy.
‘‘Being a part of someone else’s vision and passion, which is the same [as mine], that’s been the best part.’’
The Salvation Army Christmas Tree Showcase is at the Albany Bays Corps, 90 Rosedale Rd, Albany. It runs until November 18, 10am-9pm.