AUSTIN, Texas -- Christmas trees decorated by local celebrities, including University of Texas women's basketball coach Jody Conardt, currently are on display at the University Co-op for a worthwhile cause.
The University Co-op is hosting the annual "Celebri-Trees 2006 Benefit & Silent Auction", displaying Christmas trees decorated by personalities from UT and Austin to support the University of Texas Elementary School.
Conradt's tree, decorated in a Longhorns basketball theme, is called "Hall of Fame Holidays".
Customers will be asked to vote for the best tree by putting in a dollar in the box attached to the their favorite tree. The celebrity-decorated trees went on display at the Co-op on Thursday, November 30th and will be displayed through Wednesday, December 20th.
They will be sold through a silent auction ($250 minimum bid, $50 increments after $250), with bids accepted through December 19 (at 5 p.m.). All donations are tax deductible.
All proceeds from the tree voting and the auction will go to a fund to help the University of Texas Elementary School for children in East Austin. The Co-op is committed to raise $10,000 for the school with this project.
In August 2003, the University of Texas Elementary School opened its doors in East Austin, thereby launching the first university-school-community partnership of its kind in the state. As a research-based demonstration school, its goal is to provide an educational alternative for East Austin families, to serve as a training and development site for UT's students, and to be a model of an exemplary educational program for diverse learners.
The UT Co-op main location is at 2246 Guadalupe Street in Austin. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. (Monday-Friday), 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday) and Sunday's from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (times Central). For more information, call (512) 476-7211 or 800-255-1896. Validated parking is available in the new Co-op Parking Garage on San Antonio Street behind the store.
Numerous Texas head coaches have decorated trees in the Celebri-Trees event, including football coach Mack Brown and his wife, Sally; men's basketball coach Rick Barnes; softball coach Connie Clark; and baseball coach Augie Garrido.
Other celebrity trees on display are from UT President William Powers, Austin-based musicians Ray Benson and Sara Hickman, UT football great Earl Campbell, tennis star Andy Roddick, Austin Mayor Will Wynn, among many others.
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