Christmas Tree Lane, Wrangell Hospice’s only fundraiser of the year, is now open at the Nolan Center, hospice volunteer Alice Rooney said.

The sale of the donated, decorated trees usually raises about $1,200. She said the money pays for medical equipment and printing costs for the organization’s information booklet.

“We use the proceeds for the community loan closet,” she said. “If there’s an item that we need — some piece of medical equipment — that money can be available to help with that.”

Rooney said she loves Christmas Tree Lane because it gives people a chance to be creative. Community members and businesses can bid on their favorite trees to take home or display at work.

“We’ve got 17 trees, and we received a major contribution from the local group the Stikine Stitchers,” she said. “They donated a quilt along with a tree that is covered with handmade ornaments.”

The group also donated a large, gift-wrapped box that is filled with 50 different handmade items.

“This is the first time they have done that,” Rooney said. “The minimum bid for that will be $100.”

Bids in the silent auction can be filled out at the Nolan Center display through Dec. 19. The winning bidders get to take their tree home.

Rooney pointed out a tree donated by the Girl Scouts and said the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church youth group contributed four trees.

“We have a combination of small trees and big trees,” she said. “This is the 21st year for this event, and the Damon and Eva Roher family has donated a tree the past several years.”

Only artificial trees are allowed to reduce fire risk from real trees. Rooney said people are urged to use their imagination. Past entries have included trees made from plastic pipe and covered in garlands, as well as a tree built from driftwood.

The Nolan Center lobby also hosts the Dove Tree, an annual remembrance tree decorated with paper doves bearing the names of those who have died. The Dove Tree will remain on display through the new year.

“People can come and add names to the tree throughout the Christmas season,” volunteer Chris Ellis said. “Sometimes the Dove Tree ceremony is too emotional for some people to handle, and that’s understandable. So anyone can add a name to the tree at any time.”

For more information, contact Rooney at 907-305-0007 or email rooney@aptalaska.net.