BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A friendly competition returned to Bethlehem, where folks don’t exactly throw down \u2014 but they do throw a tree. And it’s all for a great cause.<\/p>\n
The Christmas tree flying through the air on Saturday morning is a retired one. But don’t worry. It won’t be thrown away in vain.<\/p>\n
It’s simply being thrown, for a good cause.<\/p>\n
Bethlehem’s 23rd annual Peter Kearns Memorial Christmas Tree Toss had winners in various categories: men, women, children \u2014 even fanciest throw.<\/p>\n
“Kind of like a fundraiser,” Panayiota Papadopoulos, Training and Education Advocate at Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, said. “Fun fundraiser.”<\/p>\n
The fun was so infectious, Papadopoulos couldn’t help but throw her tree outside of the ring as well.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t planning on throwing, but I was like, you know what, why not? It’s kind of fun,” she said.<\/p>\n
The fundraiser began more than two decades ago with a friendly bet.<\/p>\n
Michael DeCrosta is Service Manager for More Miles Automotive, where the event is held. He and his friend, the late Peter Kearns, who owned Meineke Car Care, started the tradition.<\/p>\n
“How did this begin?” DeCrosta announced on the microphone during the event. “Peter Kearns, 23 years ago, said my guys can throw trees farther than yours. I said let’s put money on it.”<\/p>\n
“Two different garages come together to do a good thing for the community,” Assistant Manager Patrick Esposito said.<\/p>\n