Two Small Men with Big Holiday Spirit: Moving Christmas Trees for Make-A-Wish Kids

This holiday season, Two Small Men with Big Hearts went beyond moving furniture and put in the extra effort in order to deliver joy, wonder, and holiday magic to children and families across Canada through the Make-A-Wish Canada Trees of Joy campaign. From Edmonton to Grande Prairie and Vancouver, the moving company transported and delivered elaborately decorated Christmas trees to children who have faced serious health challenges, giving each family a personalized holiday experience that will be remembered for years to come.

For over four decades, Make-A-Wish Canada has been granting wishes for children with critical illnesses, providing moments of hope and happiness during incredibly difficult times. Laurie Gawlicki, Development Officer for the Northern Alberta chapter, explains that the organization operates entirely through donations and fundraising initiatives, without government funding. “Our main goal is to deliver the wish of every eligible child. Everything we do, from large-scale campaigns to local community events, is fuelled by the generosity of Canadians,” she says.

The Power of Community and the Trees of Joy Campaign

The Trees of Joy campaign is a prime example of that community-driven approach. The initiative pairs local corporations and community groups with a child who has already had their wish granted. Sponsors receive a detailed profile of the child, including likes, dislikes, and what their perfect tree would look like. With gift cards for decorations and gifts, they create a one-of-a-kind tree that reflects the child’s interests—from Disney and Marvel to sports and magical fantasy worlds.

“Corporations and community groups really go above and beyond,” Laurie notes. “They’re not just decorating a tree—they’re bringing joy and creating memories for the children and their siblings.”

In 2025, the Edmonton event welcomed 15 local wish kids and their families to the Fantasyland Hotel Beverly Hills Ballroom, where they participated in a surprise tree unveiling on Wednesday, December 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The morning began with corporate sponsors arriving at 8:30 a.m. to decorate the trees, each tree reflecting the child’s unique interests. At 9:00 a.m., the Wish kids and families arrived to experience the magic. By 9:15 a.m., the room and tree reveal had transformed the ballroom into a holiday wonderland, complete with themed trees ranging from Marvel superheroes to Disney princesses, Harry Potter, and even magical fantasy worlds. Speeches followed, alongside a festive breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes and cookie decorating, before the morning wrapped up at 10:30 a.m.

“The families walked in and were completely surprised,” Laurie recalls. “The room was filled with laughter and excitement. Then Two Small Men wrapped up the trees and delivered them to the families’ homes so they could enjoy them all season.”

How Two Small Men with Big Hearts Made It Happen

The collaboration with Two Small Men was essential to the event’s success. Kristin Sherlock, Director of Operations at the moving company, recalls that Laurie from Make-A-Wish had reached out months in advance. “Lori contacted us back in March, asking if we could lend a hand. What started as one city ended up growing into three: Edmonton, Grande Prairie, and Vancouver. In total, we moved 36 trees that had been beautifully decorated for these children.”

Transporting the trees presented unique logistical challenges. Each tree had elaborate decorations, sometimes handmade or custom-built, with themes ranging from Marvel superheroes to Wicked’s Glinda and Elphaba figurines. “Some of the trees were really elaborate,” Kristin says. “One had a three-foot Mickey Mouse hanging off it, and another featured the Infinity Gauntlet, Thor, and Hulk. Moving them safely and keeping all the decorations intact was a real challenge, but our crews were motivated by the fact that these trees were going to bring happiness to children who really deserved it.”

Edmonton: Planning, Logistics, and Holiday Magic

Edmonton’s branch handled 15 trees for the 2025 campaign, spread across the city and surrounding suburbs like Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and nearby towns. Randy Taschuk, Edmonton branch manager, shared how the team approached the task. “We had two trucks and four people—two in each truck—covering all the trees. One truck had eight stops, the other seven. It was time-consuming figuring out the route since they don’t tell you who to deliver to first or last, but we planned carefully and made it work. The prep took about an hour and a half to get the trees loaded correctly. It’s definitely a two-man job; one person holding the bottom, the other the top—to make sure nothing broke.”

Randy adds that the crew was genuinely excited about the project. “Most of the guys who do this really enjoy it. It’s about Christmas and the kids. They actually feel good doing it, instead of just hauling couches around. You can tell by the smiles—it’s a special kind of job.”

Winter logistics posed additional challenges. Edmonton can dip below -20°C in early December, creating icy roads and extreme conditions for drivers. “One truck was in Spruce Grove, the other in Sherwood Park. One crew finished in five hours, the other took nine,” Randy explains. “But with preparation and careful planning, it all went smoothly.”

The trees themselves were fragile and required careful handling. “We put them all in wardrobe boxes for transport,” Randy recalls. “It kept everything secure, and only one or two bulbs fell off. You had to hold the bottom and the top as you moved them—two-person teamwork made it all possible.”

The personal side of the work was equally rewarding. “Seeing the families’ reactions, seeing the kids’ excitement—it’s what the season is all about. The guys really feel good about helping out,” Randy says.

Grande Prairie: Winter, Delicate Trees, and Heartfelt Moments

The Grande Prairie branch joined the Trees of Joy initiative for the first time in 2025, delivering four trees in the northern Alberta community. David Gimblett, branch manager, shared insights into the operation. “The Christmas tree move was a relatively straightforward task in theory. We picked up four pre-decorated trees, wrapped them in saran wrap, and delivered them to the conference center. It’s not really a whole lot of work. We literally showed up, picked up the trees, and left. I saw the parents on a couple of deliveries, but for the most part, there was no real conversation with anybody.”

Even with a small number of trees, precision and care were essential. “We wrapped the trees from the bottom up to keep them together, loaded them into the truck, strapped them at the front in a neat row, and used a dolly to make sure they didn’t fall apart during delivery,” David explains. “It is very tricky moving trees that are already decorated. One tree was wrapped in the fluffy white material like on Santa’s suit, and another was a Minecraft-themed tree with paper decorations that were very easy to tear. A little more of a nightmare than Kristen thought, but we made it work.”

David also reflected on the planning process and timing. “To be honest, it had been in my book for eight months. Kristin got the call to deal with it, set it up months before any of us even knew it was on our plan. We just executed it when the day came, and it went smoothly.”

Winter weather posed additional logistical considerations, though Grande Prairie had seen relatively light snow in early November. “It didn’t really snow here until December. We had two centimeters at the start of November that melted. Still, wrapping and securing every tree was essential to protect the decorations. These kids deserve everything to arrive perfectly.”

Despite the work involved, the project held a personal and emotional resonance for the team. “Yeah, for sure. It’s nice to give some kids that are lacking, a better word, dying, something special,” David reflects. “Like directly with the Christmas move, I definitely enjoy some of our other projects. It really sucks to go to a move where you’re moving a lady out of a domestic violent situation, but at the same time, it’s nice that we provide people with this. There’s value in seeing the kids’ reactions and knowing the work makes a difference.”

Vancouver: A First-Time Effort and New Challenges

This year marked the first time the Vancouver branch participated in Trees of Joy, bringing its own set of logistical considerations. Jeff Pawer, Vancouver branch manager, explained that the process involved two trucks and two crews, moving 19 trees in total. “It started with us picking up the trees from Home Depot and delivering them to the Make-A-Wish office,” he says. “The next day, we picked them up from the office, took them to the hotel, waited while they decorated them, and then loaded up 19 of them and delivered them to the families in a single day.”

Jeff organized the crews and the route logistics. “For me, the logistics weren’t challenging because I have about 40 years of delivery experience. But it was definitely different from a standard household move. The main challenge was making sure the decorations stayed intact. These trees were fully decorated, so you can’t just toss them into the truck.”

Protecting the trees and ornaments proved to be the biggest concern. “It reminds me of the old Grinch cartoon, when he’s taking the Christmas trees from the townspeople,” Jeff says with a laugh. “But in reverse—we’re giving them. Ideally, the ornaments would be transported separately, but we had to work with the decorated trees as they were. That’s the biggest challenge we’ll keep in mind for next year: how to better protect the ornaments during delivery.”

Even with the long day and delicate cargo, the Vancouver crew found it meaningful. “All four of our movers felt like they were contributing to something bigger. They were happy to do it. It was challenging at times keeping the trees intact, but they enjoyed being part of it.”

Jeff reflects on the broader mission: “This powers our passion for giving and giving back to the communities that we serve. A standard move might last a couple of hours, but this was over two days, slightly more detailed, a little more challenging, but just as rewarding.”

Winter Challenges Across Canada

Moving decorated trees in the winter months comes with unique obstacles. Edmonton’s winter temperatures can dip below -20°C in early December, creating icy roads and extreme conditions for drivers. “Grande Prairie is even colder,” Kristin points out. “Our crews were battling temperatures close to minus 30, with wind chills making it feel colder. We had to wrap and secure every tree carefully to protect the decorations.”

Vancouver, in contrast, presented a different challenge: rain. While snow was less of an issue, moisture could ruin delicate handmade ornaments. “We shrink-wrapped every tree individually,” Kristin explains. “It was the best way to weatherproof them and make sure everything stayed in place, including fragile bulbs and handmade decorations.”

Even the urban geography posed challenges. Edmonton families were spread across suburban neighborhoods like Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, and surrounding towns, requiring careful route planning. Randy notes, “One truck was in Spruce Grove, the other in Sherwood Park. One crew finished in five hours, the other took nine. But the prep and planning made it all possible.”

A Season of Giving Across Cities

The Trees of Joy initiative spanned three Canadian cities this year. Edmonton hosted 15 trees, Grande Prairie had four, and Vancouver participated with over a dozen trees. Each tree represented a community partnership and an effort to maximize the impact of every donation. Sponsors included Sherwood Park Buick, Leadcore, Ritchie Bros., ASG Action Security, J. Cole Welding, Blue Cross, and Regency Developments, among others.

“Partnering with organizations like Two Small Men allows us to keep costs down and maximize the funds going directly to wishes,” Laurie explains. “Everything donated or discounted directly impacts the children. Alberta is very grassroots. People here really like to see how their support makes a tangible difference in their community.”

Beyond Logistics: The True Meaning of Giving

More than 3,700 children in Canada are currently waiting for a wish, including 130 in the greater Edmonton area and 250 in Northern Alberta. Events like Trees of Joy not only bring joy to children who have faced incredible challenges, but they also strengthen the bonds between local businesses, volunteers, and families.

“For the children, it’s a reminder of the hope and joy a wish can bring,” Laurie says. “For the sponsors and volunteers, it’s a chance to see the tangible results of their efforts. They’re interacting with the children and families, and it’s incredibly rewarding.”

For Two Small Men, holiday initiatives like Trees of Joy are among the most fulfilling projects. “Our crews love doing them,” Kristin reflects. “It’s not just about moving furniture. It’s about putting a smile on a child’s face, bringing the magic of Christmas to families, and being hands-on in the community. There’s a sense of pride in that you just can’t replicate in a normal move.”

Bringing Holiday Spirit to Families

The 2025 Trees of Joy campaign marks the second year Edmonton has hosted the program, with Grande Prairie joining for the first time and Vancouver continuing its participation. From planning and logistics to careful delivery, the collaboration between Make-A-Wish and Two Small Men demonstrates how communities coming together can create moments of joy that last a lifetime.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, the delight in the families—it’s what this season is all about,” Laurie says. Thanks to the generosity of community partners and the hands-on dedication of Two Small Men with Big Hearts, more children will experience the wonder of the holidays and the power of a wish come true.

Whether it’s navigating icy northern Alberta roads, protecting delicate ornaments from rain in Vancouver, or coordinating dozens of stops across multiple cities, this initiative shows how careful planning, community support, and heart-driven action can make a tangible difference. In a season often focused on gifts, Trees of Joy reminds everyone that the most meaningful gift is the one that brings hope, happiness, and connection to those who need it most.

Safe and happy holidays to all! Ready to book your move now? Get a free quote.