Local non-profits decorate Christmas trees at Assembly Row

On December 9, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

— Photos by Hongyu Liu

By Hongyu Liu

Everyone is invited to check out six beautifully decorated Christmas trees while visiting Assembly Row this holiday season. Several local non-profit organizations have participated in the “Deck the Cause” event by decorating six twelve-foot Christmas trees.

The trees are on display all along Assembly Row. The first tree is at the corner of the Great River Road and Assembly Row. The last tree is by the side of the Revolution Drive.

Next to each tree is a plate with QR codes on them. Visitors can scan the code and vote for their favorite tree. The event’s website – https://assemblyrow.com/deckthecause – indicates that the winning organization will receive a $2,500 grand prize donation.

The trees will be on display throughout the month of December.

East Somerville Main Streets decorated and named their tree “This is East.” They placed photos of community members on the tree.

Breakthrough Greater Boston, an organization that prepares low-income students for success in college, aims to celebrate students’ success with their Christmas tree. Their Christmas trees have plastic balls with the names of the universities on them. They also made some decorative square academic caps and diplomas representing students graduating from these institutions.

Somerville Media Center’s Christmas tree has beautiful wooden plates with attractive patterns on one side and the names of Somerville festivals, like the Fluff Festival, as well as public facilities such as Bailey Park, on the other side. The tree is a celebration of the City of Somerville.

RESPOND, New England’s premiere domestic violence agency, named their Christmas tree “A Safe Home for the Holidays.” Nicely carved houses and puppies are spread all across the tree.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition’s tree comes with a classic Christmas vibe. It looks shiny with its traditional Christmas ornaments like gingerbread men and candy canes. The tree is named “Bright Lights in the City.”

Teen Empowerment, a group that inspires urban youth to think deeply about the most difficult issues in their communities, covered their tree with “winter snow.” The decorative balls and ribbon on the tree have shiny silver and blue color. Right on top the tree is the “Black Lives Matter” sign.