The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office will open its doors to the community for its annual Christmas Trees for Hospice viewing event Dec. 9-10 from 6-8 p.m. at their Shalimar headquarters.

• The public is invited to view approximately 360 decorated tabletop Christmas trees, vote for their favorites and participate in tree decorating activities while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. Following the event, all trees will be donated to Emerald Coast Hospice patients to brighten their holiday season.

The program, which the sheriff’s office has conducted since Christmas 2007, has grown significantly from its initial 25 trees. The decorated trees are now distributed to hospice patients and families from Escambia County through Bay County.

Trees are donated to the program and made available to sheriff’s office employees and friends who volunteer to decorate and return them by a designated date. The department conducts an internal contest awarding first, second and third place prizes in three categories: Individuals, Teams and Kids.

Most schools in Okaloosa County participate in the program, with Ms. Lauren Funk’s 3rd Grade Classroom at Plew Elementary frequently earning a spot in the top three finishers.

• During the public viewing nights, visitors can cast votes for their favorite tree. The sheriff’s office will award a prize to the People’s Choice winner and will announce all winners via the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

For longtime volunteer and realtor Paula Sherman, not only does she look forward to helping the OCSO with the event, but sees it as a great way to give back to the community. 

“It is a chance to bring the community together and give a little light and joy to people who are facing a difficult situation,” said Sherman, Realtor at ERA American Real Estate in Shalimar. “I’m happy the public now has the opportunity to view the wonderful work of so many giving people.”

A tree decoration table will be set up for anyone who wants to participate in decorating during the event.

The event will be held at the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 50 2nd Street in Shalimar. Attendees should enter through the side door.