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Jennifer Denney/Special to the Daily Journal

Austin Worley appears to settle on a favorite tree as he chooses among the hundreds of firs given away in Westminster on Saturday.

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Jennifer Denney/Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Eddie Taylor gets a hug from a woman who picked up a free Christmas tree for her family. Taylor received hundreds of firs from a Christmas tree farm in North Carolina to hand out.

WESTMINSTER — A collective, random act of kindness by ordinary people is warming hearts, tearing eyes and making this a special Christmas season for many in Oconee County and beyond.

What started out as one man’s wish to give out Christmas trees to people who would otherwise go without because they are hurting financially has inspired others to play a role in what could be called a modern-day “Christmas Carol” worthy of Charles Dickens’ imagination.

It began with an idea that stuck in the head of Eddie Taylor, who owns Quality Landscaping in Westminster. Taylor made up his mind that he was going to buy as many Christmas trees as he could afford and just give them away.

“It was something on my heart to do for the community, although I’m struggling too,” Taylor said Monday.

Taylor acted on the burden in his heart. He drove an hour to Glenville, N.C. to see what he could buy at Hutch’s Mountain Trees. When Hutch’s owner, Jerry McAbee, heard what Taylor wanted do he shocked the visitor by offering him hundreds of trees for free to give away.

McAbee said he was touched by Taylor’s desire to give back to his community at a time of great need all around.

“It’s the highest and best use for these trees, and the most meaningful thing to do,” McAbee said. “The Christmas tree industry has been good to me and this is a way for me to give back too.”

“Christmas is a time to reflect, be blessed and bless others,” McAbee added. “Some things are worth more than money.”

Wayne Morton, WGOG radio morning show host, got wind of what Taylor was doing and on Dec. 6, promoted the tree giveaway. Larry Dillinger, branch manager at Community First Bank in Westminster, gave Taylor permission to use the bank’s parking area.

Taylor’s five employees volunteered to give up their Saturday to help distribute the trees. Other businesses, 123 Tire, Golden Corner Pulling Association, Brandon Butts Grading and Sluder Urban Forestry, also lended a hand. Youseff’s Kitchen brought hot biscuits. Taylor’s cousin, Sammy Butts, was there helping every step of the way. Members of Taylor’s church, Calvary Church of God, also participated.

With every Christmas tree, a written Bible verse also was given away. The verse, found in James 1:17 reminded the person receiving a tree that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of lights ...”

People already were sitting and standing at the Community First Bank parking lot when Taylor and the volunteers arrived early Saturday. He said 125 trees were given out in the first 30 minutes. By 10 a.m., all the trees were gone. All in all, about 350 trees had been carried off.

One young boy was overheard saying: “Dad, we’re really getting a Christmas tree? Mom said that we couldn’t this year.”

Volunteers were seen wiping away tears.

Others who came to witness the spectacle of giving got caught up in the giving spirit and donated to The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program through WGOG.

Taylor wrote down the names of people who did not get a tree and is making arrangements for them to also get a fir. He’s also planning to have another tree giveaway, although he’s yet to firm up the details.

“I never felt so blessed in my life,” Taylor said.

Jennifer Denney contributed to this article.