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Cantigny asks nonprofit groups to decorate trees with purpose

Every year, staff at the Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny deck the halls and library and much more of the stately Wheaton mansion of the late newspaper editor and publisher.

An 18-foot tree festooned in patriotic red, white and blue stands in the library. Festive arrangements decorate fireplace mantels. Wreaths are hung.

Some visitors come annually to see the display, said museum Director Diane Gutenkauf. But she personally felt something was missing.

“We don't really know how the McCormick family decorated for Christmas,” she said. “I also thought it was disconnected from the story of the McCormicks.”

Gutenkauf didn't have any photos to guide her about how Col. McCormick would have welcomed Christmas into his home. But she did know that he was a generous man who, as publisher of the Chicago Tribune, cared passionately about citizenship, community service and freedom of the press.

A proud veteran of World War I, he also had a soft spot in his heart for veterans, children and animals. He believed in proper land management.

Gutenkauf decided to invite nonprofit community groups that reflect those interests to decorate trees in the mansion this year.

“We've told each group we would like them to decorate the tree to reflect what they do,” Gutenkauf said.

Seven trees varying in size will be on display in different rooms of the house through the end of December to join the 18-footer in the library. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, with the museum closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

Visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite tree and donate to the charity it represents. The McCormick Foundation will match donations.

“I have a pool of $3,000 we'll use to help support these charities,” Gutenkauf said.

Visitors will receive a handout describing each organization and what it does. The point is to help raise awareness of the nonprofits and they, in turn, may raise awareness of the museum, Gutenkauf said.

“We hope our visitors are supportive so we can keep doing this,” she said.

SCARCE of Glen Ellyn an organization dedicated to educating students, teachers, businesses and the public about conserving natural resources and reducing waste will decorate a tree that may give visitors ideas for what they can do at home, said Kay McKeen, executive director of School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education.

“Our tree will have LED lights for energy conservation,” she said.

The decorations will be made of recycled materials, of course. Staff and volunteers are busy fashioning ornaments made of buttons and recycled paper, aluminum can angels, silver CDs cut into shapes, and used crayons melted and molded into snowflakes.

“The ornaments are whimsical, nonsensical. They're sweet,” McKeen said.

SCARCE also plans to have gifts under the tree wrapped in reusable materials and a green wish list to give to visitors. For example, a compost bin might be the perfect gift for friend or family member who is striving to be more environmentally conscious.

The Conservation Foundation, another of the chosen organizations, works to preserve open space and natural areas, protect rivers and watersheds, and promote environmental stewardship.

The McCormick Foundation has supported The Conservation Foundation in the past and the latter is pleased to be included in the Christmas tree project, said Chere Hayes, director of development.

“It's a great way for people to get to know the nonprofits in the area. It's a fun way to do it,” she said. “We're thrilled.”

Five other organizations will be decorating trees:

Ÿ Almost Home Kids of Naperville works to improve the lives of children facing serious and ongoing medical challenges and offers respite care to their families.

Ÿ Citizen Advocacy Center of Elmhurst supports open government and encourages citizen involvement in civic affairs.

Ÿ Friends of DuPage County Animal Care and Control of Wheaton gives a second chance at life to unwanted and abandoned animals.

Ÿ Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton helps veterans move from homelessness to self-sufficiency and independence.

Ÿ Northern Illinois Food Bank, based in St. Charles, works with other nonprofit partners to provide food for those in need.

  Erin Kennedy makes a worm ornament out of buttons at SCARCE. Volunteers and staff members are busy making decorations to hang on a Christmas tree at Cantigny. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  This snowman is made using buttons that have been recycled by SCARCE. “We want to give people ideas for how they can reuse things,” Executive Director Kay McKeen said. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  These Christmas tree ornaments are made of used buttons that SCARCE has collected. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
  Linda Knapp, left, and Lauren Adame use pieces of jigsaw puzzles to make holiday ornaments at SCARCE. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com

If you go

<B>If you go

</B><P>

<B>What:</B> Christmas trees decorated by nonprofit groups on display at Cantigny's McCormick Museum<P>

<B>When:</B> 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays to Dec. 30; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day<P>

<B><B>Where:</B> Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton<P>

Cost:</B> $5 parking<P>

<B>Info:</B> Cantigny.org or (630) 668-5161<P>