In keeping with their heartfelt love for all things Christmas – as well as a strong passion for community – The Red Barn Marketplace in Denver invited local businesses to join their third annual “Walkin’ Around the Christmas Tree” event during December, to support a truly exceptional cause.
Joining with the popular home décor and gift shop not only gave participants a chance to showcase their local business, but also provided a stellar opportunity to give back – with donations this year going to the amazing Aiden’s Light Mission Fund.
“It’s all about LOVE, spreading love throughout our communities!” said Owner Laura Seagle. “Our tree event helps to provide a little bit of love to those parents who have lost their child, and God has called us to love one another just as he loves us!
That love has also spread worldwide, thanks to Aiden’s Light.
“We are incredibly touched that The Red Barn Marketplace supports us with this beautiful event,” said the founders of Aiden’s Light. “We were brought to tears walking into it for the first time last year – overwhelmed, honored, humbled and so incredibly grateful. This fundraiser tremendously helps us support underprivileged children, both locally and abroad, in so many ways. We send soccer balls to communities all over the world, where children have never seen a soccer ball, let alone have one of their own. Our donations are allowing a basketball court to be built at an orphanage in Kenya where these children could never dream of such a thing. We believe the words of John 1:5 which state, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it.”
Restoring that light – with Jesus – is what nudges Aiden’s Light Mission Fund to continue making the lives of suffering children a little bit better.
Inspired by the mission’s work of love and giving, and the Denver shop’s huge passion for supporting local, 12 beautifully adorned Christmas trees were showcased in a large tent outside the shop for a week in December, with a 13th, extra-special Golden Tree provided by The Red Barn Marketplace. Customers purchased $1 tickets to bid on their favorite decorated tree and $5 tickets to bid on the Golden Tree – winning gift cards and other prizes associated with each small business and the presents placed under each tree!
“We have always had a variety of sponsors for this event,” said Kerrie Carter of The Red Barn Marketplace. “Chick-fil-A of Denver has been with us all three years, and one year, they sent soccer balls to Kenya in honor of Aiden, while their tree was decorated with soccer balls and cows. Southern Oncology once invited their patients to make ornaments for their tree.”
This year, distinctively decorated trees represented the following local sponsors: Chick-fil-A Denver, Hoop Klip, Gone Country, LKN Realty, Dink to the Brink, Ridgecrest Garden Center, LKN Magazine, Dance Expressions, Westport Pickle Ball Club, State Farm Insurance/Agent Rich Lyon, Mission Farms Event Venue and C.S. Sales/Daybreak Outdoor. From pickleball-themed ornaments and a local realtor’s holiday motif to traditional sparkling holiday elegance and novelty designs including nutcrackers and candy cane dreams, each tree earned bids towards an impressive final total raised of $4,000!
The Red Barn Marketplace sends heartfelt thanks to the community – for sharing the love and light!
Look for gifts and unique home décor to start your new year off in style by planning a visit to The Red Barn Marketplace soon! The shop is located at 1612 N. Highway 16 in Denver, NC, 704.966.1358. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @theredbarn__marketplace. For more information on the work of Aiden’s Light Mission Fund, visit aidenslight.com.
