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Trees of Cheer brings holiday spirit to those in need

Decoration event benefits Ronald McDonald House, Cape families
Francesca Gessler, left, helps Garrett Gessler, 2, decorate a tree at the annual Trees of Cheer fundraiser at the Beacon Inn in Lewes Nov. 29. Fifty trees are donated to families staying at Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington, while another 30 trees are donated to Cape Henlopen families in need. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
December 3, 2025

Lisa Kimmel and Bobbi Pedrick were picking out pink ribbons and mini disco balls to decorate their Christmas tree.

They were among the people taking part in the fifth annual Trees of Cheer for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware Nov. 29 at the Beacon Inn in Lewes.

“You can’t pass up Ronald McDonald House and the kids, if it brings a smile,” Kimmel said.

People came together in the hotel lobby to choose their ornaments and ribbons to decorate one of 80 small trees.

Some trees had themes like jingle bells, while others had more personal meaning. Amanda Campion decorated her tree all in red.

“Sadly, my sister passed away in October, and she loved red,” Campion said.

Fifty trees will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Wilmington, with another 30 to Cape Henlopen School District families in need, said Chelsea Bristow, event organizer.

Ronald McDonald House is a place where families can stay together with their sick or injured children as they undergo medical treatments at the Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Bristow said the organization benefits the entire state.

“Fifty-nine percent of Delawareans who use Ronald McDonald House are from Sussex County. It’s their home away from home,” Bristow said.

Bristow said Trees of Cheer raised $6,000 this year.

She said the money will sponsor a room for a year at the Ronald McDonald House, and the remainder will directly sponsor families in Cape Henlopen School District.

For more information, go to ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

 

The Weimer family of Baltimore decorates trees for a second year. Shown are (l-r) Adam Weimer, Owen Weimer, Judy Dimaio and Sarah Weimer.
Lisa Kimmel, left, and Bobbi Pedrick decorate their tree with pink ribbons and mini disco balls.
Amanda Campion decorates her tree in red to honor her sister who died in October.
The Brock family of Lewes picks out decorations to hang on a tree. Shown are (l-r) Callie, Angel and Camille Brock.
Raleigh Lingo sits among the many trees decorated Nov. 29.
Lynn and Pierce Kenton of Milton pick out ornaments for their tree.
Briana Bateman, left, and Maisie Bateman, 2, of Rehoboth Beach have fun decorating a tree for Ronald McDonald House. The theme of their tree is jingle bells.
The Atwell family of Rehoboth Beach takes part in Trees of Cheer for the first time. Shown are (l-r) Alyssa, Scott, Leah and Duke Atwell.
Chelsea Bristow, left, and Shawna Steinmann, Ronald McDonald House community engagement manager for Southern Delaware, organize Trees of Cheer.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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