Legend has it that during his tenure as Mayor of Kansas City in the late 1870s, George Shelley purchased the first Mayor’s Christmas Tree on his own dime for all to enjoy and distributed food baskets to the poor. Since then, the tradition has continued – being handed down from mayor to mayor ever since.

Aside from the lighting ceremony at Crown Center and the towering tree that welcomes visitors and residents throughout the holiday season, the tree itself symbolizes much more to those in our community.
 
In the spirit of then-Mayor Shelley’s holiday giving, the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Association today benefits senior citizens, persons with disabilities and children each year with gift cards, Christmas gifts and holiday parties that are hosted by the Parks Department to help alleviate some cost concerns as our fellow Kansas Citians celebrate the holidays with friends and family.
 
You can support this year’s fund by making an online donation to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Association, or by purchasing this year’s Mayor’s Christmas Tree Ornament – which was made by Hallmark artists and creative staff from the wood of last year's Mayor's Christmas Tree.