If you feel as if you have no power to make a positive impact you might be right. The people that we’re electing to government don’t appear motivated to help people; other than themselves and the wealthy.

Honestly, most people in Columbus have silently given up on the future of the city. Only 11 percent voted in the previous November election. You should feel overwhelmed by the lack of power you have to make Columbus a better place to live. It’s frustrating and no one can blame you for wanting to “give up.”

Or… you could be like Peaches.

That’s her name. Peaches Anderson.

She’s a volunteer City Commissioner with the Greater Southeast Commission and mother of four who loves Columbus.

In 2024 one of her kids came home from school and asked why a classmate didn’t have a Christmas tree. Her child wanted to know what could be done to solve that problem.

That bothered Peaches – that some families couldn’t afford a Christmas tree. It had an affect on her and instead of doing nothing, she chose the exact opposite.

Since 2024 she has been networking with friends to find artificial Christmas trees that people don’t need. She picks up those trees, repairs them (and their lights), and donates them to Columbus families who don’t have one. She chooses to avoid complaining or expecting someone else to solve the problem. Peaches just went out on her own and solved it herself.

“Oh there’s food insecurity in Columbus, but I’m here to solve the challenge of ‘Tree Insecurity’” she said.

In her first year of work in 2024 she collected and donated 150 artificial Christmas trees. In 2025 she has donated 87 so far.

“I love my kids and you have to show them that helping other people is vital to the future of our city. Helping other people makes Columbus a better place for everyone.”

Who is paying for her gas and time to do this for Columbus? Nobody.

Peaches is an uncommon example of “Leading by Example.” If a football coach wants their players to show up to practice on time; then the coach must arrive on time themselves. She is setting the example for her four kids, the Greater South-East Commission and the city of Columbus to follow. And other people are starting to notice:

• Cracker Barrell learned of her efforts and gave her two trees from their lobby display.
• Another woman whose mother had recently passed away called her and donated ten plastic bins of ornaments from the estate.
• Peaches remembers giving a Christmas tree to a man attending the “Firefighters for Kids” sign-up. He cried. Whatever battles he was fighting in his life were solved that day with a used artificial tree for his family.

So sit back and watch football, but if you love Columbus and care about other people she has a challenge for you. Donate your used artificial Christmas tree to Peaches. She will take care of all of the work to get it into the hands of a family in need. Text, call, or email if you know about a tree that needs a new home.

Peaches Anderson (380) 237-2039
peaches.m.anderson@gmail.com

She isn’t going to solve global climate change or government corruption. Peaches  is going to solve the problem “Tree Insecurity” in Columbus.

Let’s be more like Peaches.