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Truth and Table won the Tour of Trees decorating contest at 4 Rivers this month.

The business decorated a white Christmas tree with owls, entering it along with nearly a dozen competing trees for the free event at 4 Rivers.

Businesses decorated trees and entered them into the contest. Visitors could vote for their favorite tree as they looked at the store’s gear.

Glenda Wilkins, co-director of the non-profit Nehemiah Project that 4 Rivers is a part of, said the store will benefit the nonprofit. Her sister-in-law, Sarah Wilkins, is her co-director.

Paul Peters founded the Nehemiah Project, which sales from 4 Rivers will support. Peters is also the founder of the business Covenant Case Management Services.

“We definitely have had a really good response,” Wilkins said. “People are excited about it. People are coming in to get an idea of what we have for sale. We have been taking in consignments and donations both and are currently filling our store, but we’re still hoping to get a lot more in.”

The store has two employees, including a manager and an assistant manager, Wilkins said.

“Nehemiah Project is a coalition,” Wilkins said. “What we do is we basically partner with local nonprofits that are helping meet the needs in the community. There are six different areas that we focus on: the homeless, and those struggling with addiction and mental health, veterans, senior citizens, the IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) population, and at-risk kids and abused women.”

Nehemiah Project has worked with Monarch, Will’s Place and other local organizations.

“We’ve organized different partnerships and help them to do what they do to really impact our community and make a change and make an opportunity for families to succeed,” Wilkins said.

Shopping at 4 Rivers ultimately helps the community, according to Wilkins.

“The nice thing about it is that it allows people to come in and enjoy the outdoors that we have — the Uwharrie, the lakes and mountains we have,” Wilkins said. “It allows families to buy equipment and gear they need at a fraction of the price and to come together as a family outdoors. It all goes to a great cause when they make that purchase.”

Wilkins said that 4 Rivers will have a grand opening soon.

4 Rivers is at 124 W. Main St. in downtown Albemarle.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Tour of Trees will remain up for display until near the end of the month.

To learn more about Nehemiah Project, visit nehemiahprojectoflove.org.

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.