It was Thanksgiving week when Southland Mall’s ‘Charlie Brown’ Christmas tree became the talk of social media. 

And within a week and two days of fundraising, Whitehaven community leaders managed to raise more than $25,000 for a replacement. 

Respect The Haven Community Development Corp. will host a tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 1215 Southland Mall. 

Whitehaven residents try to replace ‘Charlie Brown tree’ at Southland

Guests can expect live entertainment, refreshments and guest speakers, including Memphis Community Against Pollution co-founder Justin J. Pearson. 

Pearson is one of 246 donors who supported the “Operation Save Christmas in Whitehaven” fundraiser started by RTH founder Jason Sharif and Southland Mall management. 

Sharif said many different types of people donated to the fundraiser, including those outside of Whitehaven. 

“We had elected officials, people I grew up with in Whitehaven and just your regular ol’ working people,” Sharif said. 

In fact, the new 28-foot Christmas tree comes from a 1976 graduate of Hillcrest High School.

Dreaming of a Whitehaven Christmas: Parade marks holiday season

Sharif said the seller, who declined to reveal her name, told him that her “love and passion” for Whitehaven led her to sell the tree worth $30,000 for $18,000.

After including delivery, installation, takedown, a tree topper and storage for a year, total costs came to $25,000. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, Sharif began looking into 40-foot-tall commercial Christmas trees online and companies gave estimates close to $40,000. 

But when the unidentified seller reached out to Sharif last week, the groups had raised just enough funds to cover the bill.

On Friday, Dec. 2, the fundraiser was closed with $25,700 raised. 

Giddy up! Whitehaven-area students ride equestrian opportunity

“This is the power of the community,” Sharif said. 

The Southland Mall tree will be on display through the new year.