This was a very strange year for the tree sale. IKEA cut back the number of trees ordered for the sale, but this year's tree sale income was over 100 dollars more than last year at $1,524.45.

I believe that because Ikea's sign mentioned flood restoration of the trail, supporters responded with cash for us by buying the cut and wrap.

Congratulations for another great effort by all of you. Many of you worked in bad weather. Our friend David Oyler ended up with a pocket full of water on Thursday night that fell from the roof of the shelter without warning.

Putting on an event like this is like building a building. Unlike a building built with bricks, this event is built with the efforts of people. Every person who contributed to this event made the event a success by adding his or her strength and energy to it. As a building couldn't stand without bricks we couldn't survive without the support of our volunteers. As a coordinator for this event I am extremely proud of the effort of all of you.

This year was special to me because I got to spend a lot of quality time with many friends including my cousin Charlie Forquer. Thanks to both the volunteers and all those who bought their trees at IKEA.

Jess Forquer