The First Trent's Tree

Trent’s Tree was created by Trent’s Mom, Angela Whitten, co-founder and executive director of Stay; For Life during the holiday season of 2022. She wanted a holiday tree that family and friends could use to help cope with the first holiday without Trent. As the idea was born, it evolved into providing a safe space for people struggling with the holidays for any number of reasons. As Trent's Tree gained more attention, neighboring communities, the media, and people from hours away wanted to be involved. The family received cards and personal notes emphasizing the power contained within the project. People expressed that they were able to embrace the loss of suicide for the first time since losing their loved ones years and even decades ago. The interactive project was such a huge success communities from all around began asking what they could do to host a Trent’s Tree in their hometown.

How Trent's Tree Works

• All Trent's Tree locations are open to the public during the month of December. 
• Guests are invited to hang an ornament in memory of Trent, to commemorate a loved one lost to suicide, or to honor themself or someone who faces mental health challenges. 
• Visitors are also encouraged to visit Trent’s Tree simply to gain peace and strength from the outpouring of love displayed on the tree.
• Participants of Trent’s Tree are encouraged to contribute ornaments of their own choosing, fostering a deeply personal and meaningful experience. For those who may not have their own ornament, thoughtfully provided ornaments are available for use at all locations (free of charge). 
• If anyone is unable to visit a Trent's Tree in person, they may mail an ornament to Stay; For Life at 869 Bragdon Rd, Wells, ME 04090, where the ornament will be displayed. ​
• When visiting a Trent's Tree location, guests can expect to have their privacy respected during their visit, no one will greet them to discuss their reason for visiting. ​
• If participants wish to retrieve their ornament, they are encouraged to do so before the disassembly of the location's Trent's Tree, which will take place the first week of January. Ornaments that remain in the care of Stay; For Life will be carefully packaged and may be displayed on future trees.

If you would like to add your picture be sure to tag your picture with #trentstree or email to [email protected].

Hosting a Trent's Tree

This project wouldn't be possible without the incredible assistance of our Trent's Tree Hosts.  We are so thankful each season to the people who devote time and effort in the collective healing and peace the project brings to their community.

Businesses, individuals and community groups who wish to host a Trent's Tree may fill out the request form at the bottom of this page.  The deadline for each season's host requests will be mid-October.  We encourage all those who wish to request a Trent's Tree to fill out the host request form no later than October 10th.  Each request will receive a response after the committee has made final decisions on each year's locations.

• All supplies are provided free-of-charge for each Trent's Tree location.
• Trent's Tree Kits and trees are delivered at the end of November/beginning of December, and will be retrieved at the beginning of January.
• Trent's Trees are to be set up during the first week of December and remain up until the first week of January.
• Tree is to be located in a place that is easy to find and accessible.
• Host is responsible for erecting the tree and decorating it with supplied lights and adornments according to the specific instructions included in each kit. 
• Lights are to be kept on 24 hours a day or at a minimum from dusk until dawn.
• We ask that hosts check on the tree/ location at least once every 2 days to maintain a clean and welcoming environment, to replace any ornaments that may have fallen off the tree, and to ensure the tree, lights and sign are all in upright and working order.
• Ensure that there is a safe, clear path to the tree in the event of snow and/or ice at all times.
• At the conclusion of hosting:
  • Take photos of the tree from many angles and send them to Stay; For Life.
  • Disassemble the tree and package all the ornaments. Repackage the kit.
• Please note: Trent’s Tree locations will likely travel to different locations from year to year. This will enable Stay; For Life to reach as many people as possible with this special project.
• Guests who wish to retrieve their ornament, are encouraged to do so before the disassembly of each location's Trent's Tree. Ornaments that remain on the tree are to be carefully packaged with the rest of the location supplies, and returned to the care of Stay; For Life.  These ornaments may be displayed on future trees in various locations.