Twinkle Town is merry and bright

The Detroit Academy of Arts and Science Choir performed during the Twinkle Town lighting at Gardner White in Warren Nov. 12.

Featured Gallery (Click to view)

The Gardner-White tree, in the atrium, will welcome customers this holiday season at the flagship store, at 6500 E.14 Mile in Warren.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

WARREN — For the third straight year, Gardner-White Furniture’s flagship store, located at 6500 E.14 Mile Road, has brought the sentiments of the North Pole to the city of Warren.

On Nov. 12, staff held the annual Twinkle Town holiday event. It ushered in the holiday season with help from Gardner-White CEO Rachel Stewart, Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Warren Mayor Lori Stone.

During the evening, guests enjoyed treats, Christmas festivities, a tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa Claus. The Detroit Academy of Arts & Science Choir also got everyone into the Christmas spirit and sports fans mingled with Detroit Lions Mascot Roary.

Gardner-White’s “Parade of Trees” returned this year. The trees — decorated by local celebrities, businesses and influencers — will benefit 20 local nonprofit organizations. The trees are lined up along the store’s “Candy Cane Lane” and each participating charity group used its own creativity to come up with a theme.

Members of the public can vote online at gardner-white.com through Dec. 8 for their favorite tree with the winning charity receiving a $10,000 donation. Since it’s the season of giving, all charities will walk away with a donation from Gardner-White to their cause.

Here is a list of this year’s Parade of Trees participants and their charities:

• Mitch Albom, bestselling author and journalist — SAY Detroit Play Center

• Jaydin Blackwell, Paralympic gold medalist — Performance 80 Fitness

• Born in Detroit — Jay’s Juniors

• Broadway in Detroit — Mittens for Detroit

• Clownie, The Parade Company —The Parade Company

• Melissa Coulier, fitness instructor and wellness advocate — Gilda’s Club Detroit

• Detroit Grand Prix — Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan

• Paul Glantz, Emagine co-founder and chairman — New Day Foundation

• FOX-2 Weather Authority Team — DRAW “Disaster Relief at Work”

• Herman Moore, former Detroit Lions player — The Herman Moore Tackle Life Foundation

• Leyla Conlan, owner of Leyla — Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor