Helping area single parents is Dovan’s ‘Raise the Tree’ Farragut lot
“Raise the Tree,” which has a lot in the JCPenney parking lot in Turkey Creek along Parkside Drive, is earmarking a portion of its proceeds for Restoration House, which helps single-parent families break unhealthy cycles.
After partnering with Farragut High School’s Education Foundation last year on a pop-up Raise the Tree event, Ian Dovan, who owns and operates Raise the Tree, said he was hoping for, and found, a partnership that brought the “full Raise the Tree event to Farragut.
“It is definitely a win-win, to be able to offer something for families to get out and enjoy while also helping others in the community,” said Dovan, who also owns the landscaping company, Seeds of Change.
He credits the assistance of JCPenney general manager Michelle Austin and Kylie Niles of Turkey Creek Land Partners with making the event possible.
Families looking for a true Christmas tree lot experience can certainly find it at “Raise the Tree,” with hundreds of trees from which to choose, along with wreaths, greenery and Instagrammable-staged photo opportunities. Patrons also may enjoy hot chocolate and S’mores while searching for the perfect Christmas complements.
The lot is open from 1 to 7 p.m., Sundays through Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays.
Dovan said he had nearly 1,000 Frazier firs to split between the lots and expects to offer them at least through the upcoming weekend, as sales “have been brisk,” he said Sunday.
Two other lots — in Maryville and off Northshore Drive — will donate to Blount County’s True Purpose and Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries respectively.
For more information, visit raisethetree.org. Trees also may be ordered online and delivered.
