Main Street store adds ‘Wishing Tree’ during holiday season in Albion

Photo by Ginny Kropf: A new project at Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store is a Wishing Tree, set up at the back of the store. Customers and community members are invited to make out a wish and hang it on the tree for others to see and grant the wish.

ALBION – Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More store has come up with a creative idea to help people at Christmas time.

Store manager Cassie Healy has announced the addition of a Wishing Tree, which is on display in a homey setting at the back of the store. The Wishing Tree will be available during the entire month of December.

“This is the first time we are doing this, but during the time I have been the manager here at the store, I have met so many great people in our community,” Healy said. “I think the Wishing Tree is a fantastic way to bring the community together during this holiday season and foster a sense of generosity and kindness toward each other.”

Customers and community members are invited to come into the front register at the store and ask to fill out a wish. Their anonymous wish ticket will be hung on the tree, where other members of the community can see it. If someone sees a wish they are willing to grant, they remove the wish and inform a store associate, who will tell them the process for granting the wish.

Once the wish is granted, the store will contact the individual to come in and pick up the gift.

For those who would like to help, but do not see a wish they can grant, the store has coupons at the front register which can be purchased. These coupons will be hung on the tree for those in need to choose. These coupons can be redeemed for socks, hats, gloves, winter jackets in the store or for money toward gifts or clothing they may need.

In addition to the Wishing Tree, the store will have cookies with Santa and a craft for children at noon on Dec. 16.