Orillia Coun. Ralph Cipolla is on a mission to ensure a new "Fred's Tree" is in the Sunshine City's downtown before the holiday season.
The new 20-foot balsam fir tree has already been selected and donated by the Orillia Fish & Game Conservation Club. Planting the tree in its new home by crane will cost $9,000, Cipolla says.
Rather than putting the tree through the next budget, which would mean going through a holiday season without a Christmas tree in downtown Orillia, Cipolla aims to raise the money himself. Already, he's raised $1,200 from fellow councillors.
Cipolla says those who donate to the planting of Fred's Tree will have their name displayed on a small plaque nearby.
"We need a Christmas tree on the main street for our children," Cipolla said. "When we do the lighting, there are hundreds of kids who come to see it."
Especially after it was featured on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon for the infamous tree-lighting fiasco that went viral, Cipolla says the tree is a tourist attraction that "unifies" people.
"People go there to take a picture with the tree," he said. "It's all about the kids, to be honest with you."
Cipolla, who has five grandchildren, says he is looking forward to taking a photo with his family in front of the new tree.
To donate to planting Fred's Tree, you can reach Cipolla by email at [email protected] or by phone at 705-323-2466.
Cipolla says the city intends to plant the tree in September or October and thanks Roger Young, the general manager of environment and infrastructure services, who helped throughout the process.
"He's been fantastic with getting this going," he said. "It wouldn't be possible without him."
