November 1, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christmas Spirit Foundation selects Drake & Company

CHESTERFIELD , MO – The newly incorporated Christmas SPIRIT Foundation – the charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association – has selected Drake & Company of Chesterfield to be its staff and headquarters.

The Foundation advances the Christmas spirit for children, families and the environment.

Steve Drake will be its Chief Executive Officer; Pam Helmsing, its Executive Director; and Rick Dungey , its Public Relations Manager.

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation will begin during the 2005 Christmas season. Consumers are asked to donate to the Foundation when they purchase their Real Christmas Tree. They can go to www.ChristmasSpiritFoundation.org to make a tax-deductible donation to the foundation.

A 13-member Christmas SPIRIT Foundation board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the organization as well as determining how to allocate donated funds to organizations and projects that support kids, families and/or the environment.

“In preparation for a Christmas Traditions Summit, NCTA sponsored questions on a consumer tracking poll that compared participation in holiday activities between 1996 and 2005,” said Beth Walterscheidt , an Elgin, Texas, Christmas tree grower who becomes the NCTA president on January 1. “The results showed stunning 20% declines in activities normally considered part of the spirit of Christmas and family holiday traditions.

“We see 2005 as a startup year for the Foundation,” Walterscheidt said. “We are excited about some upcoming projects that will help us advocate the Christmas spririt for children, families and the environment yet this year.”

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Contact:
Steve Drake
Drake & Company
(636) 449-5050
drake@drakeco.com