May 20, 2026 - The 50 Women Impact Group awarded the 2026 second quarter grant in the amount of $10,900 to the Shelby County Christmas Committee. Accepting the check on behalf of the Christmas Committee was Doug Gay, Committee Chairman.
In 2024, a small group of community volunteers with a passion for Christmas and community, come together with a vision and plan to purchase a community Christmas tree and decorations for everyone to enjoy. The first annual Christmas Tree Lighting was held that same year and was a huge success thanks to the many generous businesses and individuals through their one-time contributions.
The next year the City of Center helped to expand the decorations by offering the many decorations purchased in the past by Frances Oates. These ‘retro’ decorations, the carousel and Santa with reindeer, were revitalized and put back into service by the committee. Also, Hallmark Center Fixture Operations and Windham Family Dental made a donation which purchased the “Hallmark Card” frame and the Merry Band of Reindeer giving family picture opportunities to the decorations. The 2025 Christmas Tree Lighting was once again a success!
The Christmas Committee then set a goal of “growing” the Christmas tree another six feet as well as re-purposing a 13-piece Nativity Set donated by Hallmark Center Fixture Operations with all new lights, add more twinkle trees around the courthouse and four corners of the square, add lights to the shrubs, and purchase luminary lights to outline the property.
The Christmas Committee expresses their appreciation to the 50 Women Impact group! The committee's wish is the 50 Women Impact group knows this next Christmas season when they see the families, couples, and individuals on the downtown square enjoying the decorations that they helped with adding more Christmas magic for all.
The Fifty Women Impact Group is comprised of women across Shelby County who come together four times each year to donate funds to a non-profit organization in Shelby County. An application is completed, members are provided information regarding each applicant and vote on the quarterly recipient. This quarter's giving brings the groups total grant awards to $364,900 since its start in November of 2017.
Membership in the group has grown to 110 members and is open to any woman who wants to help make a positive difference with a quarterly donation of $100. "The power of giving as one" is the motto and the group continues to make a positive difference across the county!
