BUFFALO, N.Y. — For Barbara and Gary Geitter, their holiday season wouldn't be complete without decorating a huge, elaborate tree — but it's not at their home.
They haul all of their lights, ribbons, ornaments, and other festive decorations to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center and get to work setting up their annual contribution to the Festival of Trees, which benefits The Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation.
"It's for the kids. That's it. It's for the kids. They need to have a good hospital, and this is how we do it," said Barbara Geitter.
She and Gary have been a part of this for 23 years, and it's become a family affair. Their granddaughters have become big supporters too.
"They help with the trees. They design trees and wreaths. The littlest one, she designed a Barbie wreath. She was all excited about that," said Barbara Geitter.
The couple has spent thousands of dollars of their own money to buy decorations.
"But look at a child and tell me it's not worth it. It's 100 percent worth it," said Barbara Geitter. "When you see newborns born and they need all the help they can get... for the little works that we do, that helps contribute to the foundation."
The trees are decorated and donated by the Western New York community and then auctioned at the Festival of Trees gala.
"It's just magical to see it all come together. The creativity over the years seems to get better and better every single year. From the elegant to the whimsical to the traditional design, it's all beautiful," said Gary Geitter.
The Getters first got hooked when they were taking down holiday decorations at the old Women and Children's Hospital and met a little boy who was eyeing a tree.
"I looked at the mother and said can this little boy have one of the white teddy bears on the arch of the tree?" said Barbara Geitter.
"I grabbed a ladder and got up on the arch and brought it down and gave it to him. He couldn't speak. He just started mouthing. She said he's blowing you a kiss and saying thank you. From that moment, I wasn't cranky anymore. It hooked me. That's why I'm proud to be part of it," said Gary Geitter.
Sunday, December 3 is Family Day at the Festival of Trees, but it's sold out. Monday, December 4 is Community Day. The public is welcome to check out the trees at the convention center for free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.