ALC Christmas Tree Auction Preview By Arel M. Chamberlain II The Assistance League of Carlsbad will be holding their annual Christmas Tree Auction on Friday, November 5th. The event will take place at 6:00pm at their chapter house, located at 1100 N. Canal, but will also be live-streamed on the Assistance League of Carlsbad’s Facebook page (Facebook.com/ALCarlsbad) for those unable to attend. Volunteers have expertly prepared twenty-six unique trees, as well as a number of festive centerpieces which are also for sale. “I’ve been here twenty-three years,” said Cindy Elkins, a member of the ALC’s board of directors, “and not one tree has ever been the same. Everyone has unbelievable talent. There is not a bad one in the bunch. ”The Christmas Tree Auction is one of three major fundraising events held around the year by the ALC, alongside Ducky Affair and Denim and Diamonds, in order to finance philanthropic programs in Carlsbad and Loving. Operation School Bell provides children in need not only with a generous array of new clothing, but also new shoes, hygiene kits, and even new books. Assault Survival Kits, or ASKs, consist of warm-ups, underwear, and socks, and even stuffed toys, and are assembled by volunteers and provided to the Child Advocacy Center, who in turn distribute these kits as needed. The New Start program likewise provides clothing, hygiene kits, and job application assistance for women going through rehabilitation, as well as clothing and hygiene kits for their children. These services are also provided in the wake of disasters and to runaways with the assistance of the Cavern City Child Advocacy Center. “I don’t think we have ever turned down a child in need,” explains Cindy Elkins. “We help everyone. ”The Assistance League of Carlsbad is run entirely by those who wish to volunteer their time for a good cause, not only adults but also the students from Carlsbad High School. “This community supports us a lot,” remarks Sherry Auckland, another of the ALC’s board of directors. “They’ve been there for us. ”Last year’s auction amassed a sizeable $60,000 for the ALC, with previous years raising as much as $85,000. “Every single penny that we earn goes to our philanthropic programs,” Cindy continues. “With the COVID, we are having more students that we’re having to dress. We need the money more than ever. ”Photos by Ron Cryer