Akron Children's 45th annual Holiday Tree Festival kicks off this weekend

If you're ready to start the holiday season early, more than 150 decorated trees will soon be on display in Akron to help children and families.

My son is a huge fan of Christmas, so its been a great joint effort, said Laura Flood, a volunteer of Akron Childrens.

Flood hadnt really considered decorating a Christmas tree for Akron Childrens 45

Annual Holiday Tree Festival until a friend brought it up.

Now, she said shes glad she decided to be part of it.

It means so much in part because were giving back but in huge part because Im getting to tell a little bit of my sons story, and my son is honestly the biggest joy in my life, said Flood.

When Floods 10-year-old son Liam was diagnosed with autism at a young age, she said Akron Childrens came to her rescue.

Akron Childrens is really something that can help parents and children in so many different situations. You dont know what someone is going through when they walk through those doors, but Akron Childrens is there to help meet those needs, said Flood.

Thats why Flood is giving back in hopes of encouraging others to reach for the stars through her sons space-themed tree.

You dont have to be limited by whats in front of you. Just keep trying. No is not an immediate no when it comes to your dreams, said Flood.

And Andrea Kish wants people to feel inspired when they walk by her ribboned Christmas tree in honor of her niece.

She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was a baby, and we love Childrens Hospital, and so every year we dedicate this tree to her, said Kish, a volunteer of Akron Childrens.

Thankfully, Kish said her niece is doing better.

But she knows other kids are still struggling, so she and Holiday Tree Festival Chair, Susan Berk, hope the money they raise from the more than 150 decorated trees, over 80 wreaths and close to 200 holiday gifts will continue to help families in need.

We have hundreds of volunteers that help put this together and they just want healthy children in our neighborhood, said Berk.

Beyond raising money, Berk said she wants to give families a safe space to heal.

The stories are heartwarming. No one wants to see a child be suffering or have to endure an infusion or operation or something, so (and) the children who may have had a tougher time, their families are eager to give back. It honors the children, said Berk.

The free event kicks off this Saturday at 10 a.m., and runs through Sunday, November 22.

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