ANDERSON — Volunteers began Friday to come together in the lobby of the Calhoun Historic Lofts in Anderson to decorate Christmas trees, wreaths and swags — all for a good cause.

The items are to be sold at auction to benefit Foothills Alliance.

The fifth annual Festival of Trees will kick off Wednesday with more than 28 holiday trees and wreaths, said Fay Brown,Foothills Alliance chief professional officer.

“They are more than just Christmas trees. They really are works of art, all of them,” Brown said.

A preview brunch set to start at 10 a.m. Wednesday will take place at the Civic Center of Anderson. After that, the trees will be on display at the Calhoun Historic Lofts on North Main Street in downtown Anderson. Residents will be able to view them there Wednesday through Saturday.

On Saturday evening, the trees and other decorations will be auctioned off to raise money for Foothills Alliance at the organization’s fundraising event called A Chocolate Affair.

The trees and other items are delivered to recipients fully decorated, said Timothy Clardy, Foothills board of directors chairman.

“We wrap them up in saran wrap, and they will have a fully decorated tree when we get there,” Clardy said.

In the past five years, the event has raised more than $150,000 for the organization that provides counseling, support and education programs about preventing child abuse and sexual abuse in children and adults.

“This year, our goal is $45,000,” Brown said. “With the economy the way it is, we didn’t want to try and raise more. … But this money is vital to our programs.”

The trees will be on display on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, the trees will be on display from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. prior to the evening’s activities, which start at 7 p.m.

While the trees will be on display for free, tickets are being sold for the brunch and A Chocolate Affair. Brunch tickets cost $25 per person, and tickets to the evening event are $40 per person.

For more information, call Foothills Alliance at (864) 231-7273.