Each year Hope Center Indy offers a Christmas Tree Walk, shown here in 2021. Decorating begins Monday, and this year’s stroll opens Dec. 1.
Calling all hall-deckers: You could decorate a tree that will be part of Hope Center Indy’s annual Christmas Tree Walk.
The stroll through the tree display filling Hope Center’s prayer center will be open Dec. 1-23. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 6-9 p.m. Sundays. Volunteers will be decorating trees starting Monday (Nov. 20). Admission is free.
The display began in 2020, presented as an opportunity for families to enjoy some Christmas cheer in a socially distanced way, as they could stop by during the weeks of the display as opposed to attending a single event that draws a crowd.
The center at 11850 Brookville Road, at the Marion-Hancock county line, serves women overcoming sex trafficking, sexual exploitation and addictions, according to its website.
Rachel Kleine of the center’s Redefined Hope Boutique and Coffee Shop said the display was also a fitting event following the passing of her brother, David Nolen. The Hope Center co-founder was 28 when he died in 2019 amid unexpected complications from a heart surgery.
“The holiday season is really tough. David loved Christmas in the boutique and the coffee shop,” Kleine said. “We just decided we wanted to come up with a tradition that involved the Hope Center … We just wanted to help create those memories for our community and for families.”
A prayer garden Nolen designed is among the outdoor areas lit up at night, in addition to the dozens of trees indoors in the prayer center. The boutique and coffee shop are open for tree viewers who want to pick up a cup of hot chocolate or squeeze in a little Christmas shopping.
The center has some artificial trees available for those who would like to take responsibility for decorating one. All decorators need to provide are ornaments and a tree skirt — and a theme, if they’re choosing one. They can pick up their items after Christmas. Those interested can send email to [email protected].
“The feedback is always extremely positive” on the display, Kleine said. “Several people come back a couple different times. Several of the kids will tell us their favorite trees.”
