OH, CHRISTMAS TREE. Mighty Maddy's Mission is holding its annual Tinsel & Tidings silent tree auction as well as the gala at The Pablo Center. (Photos via Facebook)

In 2014, Madelyn Odegard was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 6. After a hard-fought battle with many hospital stays and treatment plans, Maddy passed away in August 2017.

During her many times in the hospital, Maddy enjoyed celebrating her birthday and the birthdays of others by creating banners and pictures to decorate her hospital room. Her father, Josh Odegard, says that when he and his wife asked Maddy what she would like to do to help others experiencing cancer treatments, she said she wanted to give them birthday celebrations. This is what sparked her parents to start Mighty Maddy’s Mission after her passing.

Mighty Maddy’s Mission provides Birthday Bags, End of Treatment Bags, and Family Bags to children with cancer and their families. The Family Bags are for families of children when they first get a cancer diagnosis in order to try and make that time less difficult.

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When we think of our organization, We wanted to hold a fundraising event that’s not only fun, but something everyone can enjoy.

Josh Odegard

MIGHTY MADDY'S MISSION

For the fifth year, Mighty Maddy’s Mission is holding its Tinsel & Tidings event to help raise money for the organization. The event involves a silent auction of Christmas trees and their decorations, donated by other organizations in the area, each with its own theme. Each tree is valued at more than $250, and this year’s event includes about 19 trees for the silent auction. The silent auction trees can be viewed starting on Nov. 22 both online and at the Pablo Center at the Confluence (128 Graham Ave., Eau Claire), where anyone can view and bid on them.

“When we think of our organization, it’s all about having fun,” Josh said. “We wanted to hold a fundraising event that’s not only fun, but something everyone can enjoy.”

On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5:30pm at the Pablo Center, Mighty Maddy’s Mission will be holding its second annual Tinsel & Tidings Gala. The Gala will include a live auction of five to six Christmas trees valued at more than $500, as well as a dinner, a cash bar, and performances by Uncommon Denominator.

A few of the trees in the live auction include a Harry Potter-themed Christmas tree, a tree inspired by the hit show Yellowstone, a Candy & Ice Cream tree, a “Let it Snow” tree with a snowblower included, and Maddy’s Tree, decorated by board members and her family every year.

Tickets for the Gala are $75 a person and $600 for a table of eight and can be purchased online.

Learn more about the Tidings & Tinsel event and Mighty Maddy’s Mission at mightymaddysmission.com.