Christmas trees donated to families in need

It is hard to imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree, but not everyone can afford one. So two companies came together to give families a tree of their own.

“We liked it because it was red and had like Christmas colors on it,” said Gabriella, a daughter in one of the families who got a tree.

“I liked it because it was like, bright and stands out,” said Naomi, Gabriella’s younger sister.

Gabriella and Naomi don’t have to worry about where Santa is leaving their presents this year. They were one of eight families to receive a Christmas tree from Northwest Cosmetic Labs on Friday. The company had different groups of employees decorate trees and asked the Idaho Falls YMCA to select families who needed one.

“To hear that some families maybe can’t afford that, wouldn’t take that expense on, it’s kind of, you know, almost heartbreaking,” said Michael Hughes, CEO of Northwest Cosmetic Labs. “It’s like, how can we help these families out? So, it was a way for us to give back a little bit and something we might take for granted.”

The families also got a food basket and a gift basket. All to make this time of year extra special for deserving families.

“It really makes Christmas special, not just for this year, but for every year for their families,” said Monica Bitrick, CEO of the Idaho Falls YMCA. “This is a memory for every single family moving forward for the holidays.”

Gabriella and Naomi already know what they want Santa to bring this year.

“LOL Dollhouse,” Naomi said. “And, what is it called? Projector, it like puts stars.”

“And fingerlings and a projector that like goes up like up there (the ceiling),” Gabriella said.

The Idaho Falls YMCA is hosting a Community Skate Night, Thursday, Dec. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at Starlite Skating in Idaho Falls. Proceeds will go toward the YMCA.