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 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.

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. The organization operates entirely through donations and fundraising initiatives, without government funding.

The Power of Community and the Trees of Joy Campaign

The Trees of Joy campaign 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.

How Two Small Men Made It Happen

Kristin Sherlock, Director of Operations, recalls that Laurie from Make-A-Wish reached out months in advance. "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.

Edmonton: Planning, Logistics, and Holiday Magic

Edmonton's branch handled 15 trees for the 2025 campaign. 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. 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."

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. David Gimblett, branch manager, shared insights: "We wrapped the trees from the bottom up, loaded them into the truck, and used a dolly to make sure they didn't fall apart during delivery. It is very tricky moving trees that are already decorated."

Vancouver: A First-Time Effort and New Challenges

This year marked the first time the Vancouver branch participated in Trees of Joy. Jeff Pawer, Vancouver branch manager, explained that the process involved two trucks and two crews, moving 19 trees in total. "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."

Beyond Logistics: The True Meaning of Giving

More than 3,700 children in Canada are currently waiting for a wish. 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," says Laurie Gawlicki from Make-A-Wish. "For the sponsors and volunteers, it's a chance to see the tangible results of their efforts."

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."