In light of – and to light up – the Christmas season, the Simpson Guild has set up an “Avenue of Trees.”

The trees, standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, are decorated with more than 600 lights and have a plaque that indicates the name of the sponsor and a brief message.

According to Becky Beaman, secretary of the Academic Dean, the trees are part of a fund-raiser – sponsorships cost $40 a piece.

“All the money goes right back to the students,” Beaman said.

In the past the money raised by the Simpson Guild has been used to buy computers, weight machines, lights and other equipment for the college.

Beaman said one of the 26 trees in the display, located between Hillman Hall and Smith Chapel, was damaged over the weekend by an unknown person or persons.

This is the first year for the “Avenue of Trees” fund-raiser; it will run through Jan. 2.