2025 Giving Tree Project

2025 Giving Tree Project

The Giving Tree Project places fully decorated Christmas Trees in the homes of Veterans in need.

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We need your decoration donations to make it possible.

Ready for Decoration Saturday, November 29^th.

Twenty trees will be at their business foster sites and ready for public decorating from November 29^th until December 9^th  .

Giving Trees can be identified by the green tree shaped poem tied to the boughs.

Last Day to Decorate Monday, December 9^th

Beneficiary

MinnesotaAssistance Council for Veterans (MACV)

how you can help with theGving Tree Project & the MACV toy Drive

Giving Tree PublicDecorating

Giving Tree decoration angels (you) areencouraged to place your ornaments and tree trimming on the trees.

New, handmade, orornaments and tree trimmings with previous tree experience are accepted.

These tiny 3 to 5 foot trees stand outside and are exposed to the elements, ornaments, or cards should be placed in sealed plastic bags.

Giving Trees Donations

We have 2 Drop Off Sites:

Gary’s Frist Class Car Care

366 Highway 7, Excelsior convenient

8:30 am-4:00 pm M-F

Excelsior Fire District StationsNo.1

24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood

8:30 am-4:00 pm M-Th

Giving Tree Needs

• Glass bulbs
• Ornaments    
• Tree Trimmings
• Tree Tops
• Working Lights
• Tree stands for trees 3-5 inches.
• Tree Bags
• Tree Skirts
• Please no candles

How Your Organization Can Adopt a Tree to Decorate

• Your group can adopt a tree to personalize and make special for the family receiving the tree.
• Nothing adds to a tree more than ornaments and trimmings placed by the hands of someone who cares. Decorations can be handmade, purchased, or have previous experience.
• We encourage groups to write their names, and/or group names on the ornaments.
• A ribbon or banner with your group’s information is also welcome. These tiny 3 to 4-foot trees stand outside and are exposed to the elements, the ornaments or cards should be placed in Ziplocs or plastic bags
• Contact Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail  kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org for more details and to be assigned a tree.

Contact Firefighter Kellie at 952-960-1692 to adopt a tree to decorate.

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2025 LOCATIONS

Dunn Brothers Coffee              

11 Water Street

Excelsior Bay Books                                                                                  

36  Water Street

Lakes Area Realty                                                                                      

37 Water Street

Fleurish                                                                                                            

40 Water Street  

Beem Light Sauna

355 2^ndStreet

Martins                                                                                                              

212 Water Street  

Re/Max Advantage Plus                                                                          

216 Water Street

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.Lake Effect                                                                                                      

219 Water Street

Amore & Fede                                                                                                

226 Water Street

Excelsior Eye Care                                                                                      

228 Water Street

Leipold's                                                                                                          

239 Water Street

Ooh La La                                                                                                        

274 Water Street

TaVor                                                                                                                  

266 Water Street

South Lake Cycle

344 Water Street

Excelsior Real Estate                

386 Oak Street

State Farm Insurance              

378 Oak  Street

Incline Exteriors

143 Oak Street

Excelsior Paint and Design                                                                  

701 Highway 7

Gary’s First Class Car Care                                                                  

366 Highway 7

Minnesota Inboard                    

720 Galpin Lake Road

Becoming a Foster Site

Great News, the 2025 Giving Trees all  have Foster Sites.

If have a business in downtown Excelsior and you would like be a Giving Tree Foster Site in the future, call Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail at kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org to be placed on the waiting list.

Think of the Giving Tree Project when..

• You’re downsizing your tree trimmings, ornaments, and tree bling.
• You do not know what to do with those ornaments you received as gifts that are just not your style.
• You just don’t know what to do with those ornaments from your x-spouse.
• You have talented children that want to help, have them make ornaments.
• Your Christmas boxes are outgrowing their storage space.
• You are writing up your holiday invites and ask for donations for the Giving Tree Project in lieu of hostess gifts.

MACV Toy Drive Donations

Toy Collection for Veterans

Thursday, November 20^th until Monday, December 9^th

Pre-K to 18

We have 7 convenient Drop Off Sites

Gary’s Frist Class Car Care

366 Highway 7, Excelsior convenient

8:30 am-4:00 pm M-F

Excelsior Fire District StationsNo.1

24100 Smithtown Road, Shorewood

8:30 am-4:00 pm M-Th

Dunn Brothers Coffee              

11 Water Street

Lakeshore Market & More

4812nd Street

Something Safari

Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331

Excelsior Real Estate                                                                                

386 Oak Street., Excelsior  

State Farm Insurance                                                                              

378 Oak Street, Excelsior

List of suggested toy donations below.

Ages 0 - 4

Toy Tool Sets

Fischer Price Toys

See & Say Toys

Musical Toys

Tyco Toys

Educational Play Sets

Duplo Play Sets

Wooden Block Sets

Books

Ages 5 - 10

Multicultural Dolls

Tonka Trucks

Art & Craft Sets

Sporting Goods

Model or Construction Sets

Science Kits / Sporting Items

Educational Play Sets

DVDs / Board Games    

Books

Ages 11 - 18

CDs / DVDs / Video Games

CD Players / Electronics

Jewelry / Books

Sporting Items

Sport's Team Apparel

Board Games

Digital Cameras

Ridgedale Mall Gift Cards

Target/Best Buy Gift Cards

The average price of a donated toy is $10 - $30.

Important Dates

Twenty trees will be at their business foster sites and ready for public decorating by Saturday, November 29, 2025

Toy Collection begins on Thursday, November 20^th.

Last day to decorate or Drop off Toy Donations

Monday, December 9, 2025

To Be Added To Our Event List

To be added to our event e mail list contact Kellie with your email.

The Excelsior Fire District does not sell or share our lists.

Contact Kellie at 952-960-1692 or e-mail at kmurphyringate@excelsiorfire.org

Pick Up Date

The Giving Trees will be picked up by Ridgewood Church Volunteers on Monday, December 9th.

Toy donations will be collected by volunteers on Monday, December 9th.

Giving Tree Project Donations

Donations are accepted all year round.

Note: The Giving Trees will be picked up on Tuesday, December 9^th.

Donate Tree Trimming or your Troop, Group, neighborhood organization can adopt a tree to decorate.

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Sponsors

The Giving Tree Project : Gary’s First Class Car Care

Trees: The Garden Patch

Pickup: Ridgewood Church

Tree Stands: The Excelsior Lions Club

Odd and Ends: Gary’s First Class Car Care

Foster Sites: The Excelsior Merchants & Business

Toy Drive Collection Sites: Merchants & Business in the Excelsior Fire District

The Excelsior Fire District brings them all together and ties up the loose ends.

Thanks to ALL OF our volunteers

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