HARVEYS LAKE — The interior of Grotto Pizza was filled nearly to capacity Nov. 22 as hundreds of people began decorating roughly 30 Christmas trees.

The 21st annual Parade of Trees kicked off at the eatery, where businesses sponsor a preferred charity and attempt to win money for it by decorating a Christmas tree and obtaining the most votes from the public. Twenty-nine businesses are participating this year.

“This started with only 12 participants, and now it fills our entire dining room,” said Armond Mascioli, co-owner of the restaurant. “We have a waiting list (to enter a tree in the contest).”

Businesses pay a $150 entry fee, $75 of which goes directly to their charity. The other $75 gets placed into a prize pool.

“The top three trees get the prize money divvied up,” said marketing director Tony DeCosmo. “It’s just a great event. For everybody that participates, it’s really a kickoff to the holiday season.”

To sweeten this year’s pot, Grotto Pizza founder Joseph Paglianite and wife Erma donated $20,000.

Last year, Paglianite opened the Joseph and Erma Paglianite Charitable Foundation with a mission of helping various area charities and communities. The money will be split between all participants, with higher amounts given to top vote-getters.

“It’s our way of giving back to the community for their continued patronage to Grotto Pizza over the years,” Paglianite said while watching the festivities. “We first started it in Rehoboth Beach 22 years ago, then we picked it up and brought it back to Harveys Lake.”

Participants quickly began sorting through boxes and bags, pulling out lights and ornaments while enjoying pizza and wings.

On one end of the dining room, Al Shaver, of Beaumont, was sitting with his family and enjoying some dinner after completing his tree.

Shaver, who owns Dominic’s Equipment, used his company as inspiration to create a unique, construction-themed tree. With yellow caution tape as garland and miniature bulldozers and construction worker rubber duckies as ornaments, the tree represents the equipment his company offers to rent, he said.

Now in his second year at the event, Shaver’s charity of choice is the Keystone Rescue Mission Alliance, which offers help to the homeless in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

“I hope it generates some money for the mission,” he said of the tree. “That’s our goal.”

Near Shaver’s entry was a tree sponsored by Reilly Plating, a company owned by Joe Reilly.

A 16-year veteran of the event, Reilly said he raises money for Toys for Cops. The charity collects toys that police can give to children with whom they are working in crisis situations, using the toys as a calming mechanism.

On a tree covered in red and blue lights, Reilly’s family members placed small silver ornaments on the branches that also included a police car, pellet gun and handcuff ornaments. As a finishing touch, a scaled-down police car was placed next to the tree.

“It’s a good way to raise money and have fun at the same time,” he said.

Across the room, Dallas resident Dave Sebolka began organizing decorations to put on his tree. He was helping to decorate the Changes Fitness Center’s tree, which is aiding Ava’s Tree through Geisinger Child Life.

“We’re trying to raise money to buy toys for children of Geisinger come Christmas,” he said. “It’s great to see everyone come out to support … and have a chance to help out a bunch of causes, from animals to kids, the homeless and more,” he said.

The trees will remain on display at Grotto Pizza on Harveys Lake until the end of year, when voting will end. Each vote costs $1.

Suzanne Kravitski, of Dallas, decorates the Grasshopper Lawns Christmas tree benefiting PA Wounded Warriors at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza in Harveys Lake.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TDP112716GrottoPizza_1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSuzanne Kravitski, of Dallas, decorates the Grasshopper Lawns Christmas tree benefiting PA Wounded Warriors at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza in Harveys Lake. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Debbie Colarusso, of Clarks Summit,decorates the Orlando Foods Christmas tree benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of NEPA at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TDP112716GrottoPizza_2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDebbie Colarusso, of Clarks Summit,decorates the Orlando Foods Christmas tree benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of NEPA at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Joanie Yamrick, of Lehman Township, decorates the Misericordia University Adult Student Council Christmas tree benefiting Ruth’s Place.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TDP112716GrottoPizza_3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJoanie Yamrick, of Lehman Township, decorates the Misericordia University Adult Student Council Christmas tree benefiting Ruth’s Place. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Benefactors Erma and Joseph Paglianite, center, give a $20,000 check on behalf of their foundation to the Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees as Grotto Pizza marketing director Tony DeCosmo, left, and chief operating officer and co-owner Armand Mascioli stand with them at the 21st annual event in Harveys Lake.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TDP112716GrottoPizza_4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBenefactors Erma and Joseph Paglianite, center, give a $20,000 check on behalf of their foundation to the Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees as Grotto Pizza marketing director Tony DeCosmo, left, and chief operating officer and co-owner Armand Mascioli stand with them at the 21st annual event in Harveys Lake. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Benefactors Erma and Joseph Paglianite, center, give a $20,000 check on behalf of their foundation to the Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees as Grotto Pizza marketing director Tony DeCosmo, left, and chief operating officer and co-owner Armand Mascioli stand with them at the 21st annual event in Harveys Lake.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Trees1.CMYK_-1.jpg.optimal.jpgBenefactors Erma and Joseph Paglianite, center, give a $20,000 check on behalf of their foundation to the Grotto Pizza Parade of Trees as Grotto Pizza marketing director Tony DeCosmo, left, and chief operating officer and co-owner Armand Mascioli stand with them at the 21st annual event in Harveys Lake. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Joanie Yamrick, of Lehman Township, decorates the Misericordia University Adult Student Council Christmas tree benefiting Ruth’s Place.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Trees2.CMYK_-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJoanie Yamrick, of Lehman Township, decorates the Misericordia University Adult Student Council Christmas tree benefiting Ruth’s Place. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Debbie Colarusso, of Clarks Summit,decorates the Orlando Foods Christmas tree benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of NEPA at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Trees3.CMYK_-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDebbie Colarusso, of Clarks Summit,decorates the Orlando Foods Christmas tree benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association of NEPA at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post

Suzanne Kravitski, of Dallas, decorates the Grasshopper Lawns Christmas tree benefiting PA Wounded Warriors at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza in Harveys Lake.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Trees4.CMYK_-1.jpg.optimal.jpgSuzanne Kravitski, of Dallas, decorates the Grasshopper Lawns Christmas tree benefiting PA Wounded Warriors at the 21st annual Parade of Trees at Grotto Pizza in Harveys Lake. Bill Tarutis | For Dallas Post
Parade of Trees contest at Harveys Lake kicks off to benefit charities

By Marcella Kester

For Times Leader

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