Advertisement
🎄 Our holiday tradition is back! 🎄On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.
The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by UToledo Health and supported by the Port of Toledo. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.
Community Giveback Day Itinerary
10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day
11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade
1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream
1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks
1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa
Not able to join us in person? Not a problem! Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!
Make a Difference in the Lives of Others
The holidays are a time for giving! Stay tuned for details on how to purchase a tree for yourself or sponsor a tree for a community member in need. All trees will arrive on the Christmas Tree Ship on Saturday, December 7. You can also donate to provide a family with a gift card to help support holiday needs. PLUS, for every holiday support donation, UTMC will match your gift with a healthy hygiene kit for community members in need!
Get a tree or give a tree: https://nmglstore.org/products/christmas-tree-ship-get-or-give-a-tree?variant=40242129797182
Send a holiday gift donation: https://nmglstore.org/products/christmas-tree-ship-send-a-holiday-gift-donation
Leading up to the Community Giveback Day
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1: Last Day to purchase a Christmas Tree for yourself or a family in need. Trees are $65 each. (More details on trees are below!)
SUPPORT HOLIDAY NEEDS: The holidays are a time for giving! Donate to provide a family with a gift card to help support holiday needs. Plus, for every holiday support donation, UTMC will match your gift with a healthy hygiene kit for community members in need.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Join us on December 7 for a full day of fun!
ALL DAY: Museum Admission is free to every visitor, thanks to the generosity of The University of Toledo Medical Center
11 AM: In collaboration with the East Toledo community, we encourage visitors to watch the 52nd Annual East Toledo Holiday Parade beginning at 11 a.m. The parade will begin at South Ravine Parkway and travel along East Broadway, Starr Avenue and Main Street, before ending at Metroparks Toledo’s Glass City Enrichment Center.
12:45 – 1:30 PM: Arrive to find your spot behind the museum at the docks! Following the parade, guests are encouraged to walk or drive to the Museum where, in partnership with Geo. Gradel Co., spectators can watch Santa Claus and a boatload of Christmas trees navigate the Maumee River via livestream and then watch in person as the decorated tugboat docks behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes and delivers trees.
1:30 PM: Santa and The Christmas Tree Ship arrive. Once at the museum, Santa will take his place to receive visitors inside the museum exhibit building.
For every holiday support donation, UTMC will match your gift with a healthy hygiene kit for community members in need.
GET A TREE / GIVE A GIFT DETAILS: Get your Christmas Tree from Toledo’s very own “Christmas Tree Ship” OR donate a tree or a gift card to a family in need. This year in partnership with United Way of Greater Toledo and 2-1-1, we are working with East Toledo Family Center, Family House, Lucas County Children Services, and Sylvania Area Family Services to distribute trees to families in need. The trees are approximately 5 to 7 feet tall. Each tree is $65. Trees must be pre-ordered by 5 pm on Sunday, December 1. No walk-up tree sales will be available.
GIFT CARD DONATION DETAILS: The holidays are a time for giving! Beyond purchasing a tree for you or a family in need, you can also donate to provide a family with a gift card to help support their holiday needs. Gift cards will be distributed by our partners: East Toledo Family Center, Family House, Lucas County Children Services, and Sylvania Area Family Services to individuals and families in need of support. Donations towards gift cards to support families in need can also be made through December 7th at the museum or online.
Get a tree or give a tree: https://nmglstore.org/products/christmas-tree-ship-get-or-give-a-tree?variant=40242129797182
Send a holiday gift donation: https://nmglstore.org/products/christmas-tree-ship-send-a-holiday-gift-donation
*Individuals interested in learning more about receiving a donated tree are encouraged to reach out to one of our recipient partners or simply call 2-1-1.
Presenting sponsor: The University of Toledo Medical Center
Supporting sponsor: Port of Monroe
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1701 Front St, Toledo, OH, United States, Ohio 43605
