Kim Fundingsland/MDN Eagles Wings is once again involved in the “Buy a Tree, Change a Life” program to benefit children in need. Sommer Alvarez, administrative director, displays one of the fresh Christmas trees for sale in the heated tent adjacent to Eagles Wings church.

The big tent outside Eagles Wings church will be a very busy place today and for the next several days. Inside the heated big top are Christmas trees fresh cut from Montana. Proceeds from the sale of the trees will help children this holiday season.

“It’s a way to help kids,” said Sommer Alvarez, Eagles Wings administrative director. “Actually, we support two things. One is People for Care and Learning in Cambodia, a project that provides education and housing for kids to help bring them out of poverty. A local project we support is Project Ignite Light, a nonprofit here in North Dakota that helps bring just a little bit of hope to kids that have been pulled out of their homes and are going into foster care.”

Children destined for foster care are provided with a Bag of Hope, a backpack containing items to make their lives a bit brighter.

“The backpacks have goodies, pajamas, nice handmade blankets, stuffed animals, books and other nice things,” said Alvarez. “They get a backpack full of stuff that they need because they’ve got nothing at that point, a very dark point in their childhood.”

2020 marks the fourth year of participation in the programs by Eagles Wings. Last year their allotment of 200 trees sold out within 10 days. Demand this year is expected to be similar if not more.

“There’s military families that might not be able to travel for Christmas because of COVID and that might be kind of hard on them,” said Alvarez. “People can buy a tree and designate it for a military family.”

In past years many Christmas tree buyers have donated dollars beyond the actual price of a tree, further boosting the fund-raising efforts of the Eagles Wings congregation. Alvarez says the project has been very rewarding, adding that a festive atmosphere inside the tent where popcorn, coffee and hot chocolate is served, has helped create a “fun activity” for families.

Sale of the Eagles Wings Christmas trees will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. The tent will also be open Saturday’s from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The regular Sunday through Friday schedule will be noon to 6 p.m. until all all trees are sold. Eagles Wings is located at 101 16th Street SW in Minot.