Five years ago, Lynda Parker rounded up eight Christmas trees from around Tellico Village, hauling them to Hohenwald, Tennessee, where she donated them to The Elephant Sanctuary.

Four years later, and that gesture of making waste useful has morphed into a tradition for not only her but her community.

T“Everyone in Tellico Village comes from somewhere else, but they really embrace that volunteer spirit,” Parker said. “Every year I’m just amazed at how many people come out and help. These people are all incredible, they come here and work together for a common good.

“It’s just great.”

Parker began the cause after the death of her partner, who was an avid animal lover, elephant enthusiast and all around naturalist.

Parker’s first Christmas without her partner, she purchased a Christmas tree to set up on her back deck for the birds and squirrels to enjoy. When January rolled around, she decided to re-purpose her tree through a cause that not only promoted conservation, but did so while honoring a loved one.

“I knew the POA would pick it up, to grind up and make mulch,” said Parker. “But I thought there must be something better. I got on Google, started searching around and found the elephant sanctuary.”

The event only grew from there, with that number of trees donated growing from eight to more than 30 by the second year. Now, the group consistently gets donations well into triple digits.

Last year, the group transported 130 trees to Hohenwald, about four hours from Tellico Village and about an hour and a half southwest of Nashville. This year, that number remains about the same.

Even as volunteers were tying down the pine to trailers, more and more truck beds began to arrive with late arrivals.

The dozen or so volunteers split the loads between two trailers, and even amongst inclement weather were able to get some donations early. With the snowstorm approaching, the sanctuary knew that their inhabitants would be spending most of the weekend in barns instead of outside grazing.

Usually, the group loads up on Thursday before delivering on Friday mornings. This year, the group sent a trailer up early Thursday morning with the rest planned for delivery at the beginning of the week.

The volunteer base has continued to grow, too. Parker advertises the event on Nextdoor and Facebook, drawing in animal lovers old and new to help her cause. Not only is it a good excuse to get active, it also brings awareness to the safe haven for these animals just a few hours away from home.

“I’ve traveled all over to farm sanctuaries,” said Geri Weems, a Tellico Village resident and first time volunteer. “but when I found out there was an actual elephant sanctuary in Tennessee I was just floored.”

The Elephant Sanctuary was founded in 1995, as a refuge for African and Asian elephants, mostly retired zoo and circus attractions. The sanctuary acts as a haven for these animals to spend their twilight years in. The 3,060 acre habitat gives the animals a space to live out their lives alongside a herd in a place dedicated to their well-being.

Over their 30 year existence, the organization has provided 34 elephants with specialized care. Currently, a dozen elephants call the sanctuary home.

The elephants at the sanctuary find multiple uses for the trees. Not only do they make a great snack for the creatures, they also provide some entertainment as well. The animals will usually gnaw on the greens first, before getting a playful use out of the trunks and branches that are left.

While Christmas trees are the main donation, there was even a pumpkin in the mix this year as well. Elephants like to crush them with their feet, getting to feast on the seeds and pulp inside.

While most of the donors reside in Tellico Village, the pool of participants has expanded beyond that. People from Loudon County have begun to ship in their trees or have them picked up to be taken to the sanctuary.

Chris Bogle, another Tellico Village resident and second-time volunteer, spoke on the growth he’s seen with the event as well as what got him excited about it in the first place.

“What we love is that there’s so many people willing to pitch in as is needed,” Bogle said.

For more information, visit www.elephants.com.