Hutton mission
It’s a good bet Levi Hutton would be proud of his establishment, Hutton Settlement.
The entrepreneurial spirit that he personified continues in the annual Hutton Settlement Christmas Tree sale at the campus, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave.
Hutton was an orphan and no stranger to the sting of neglect. In 1919, the self-made mining/real estate mogul purchased 111 acres in the Spokane Valley with one goal in mind – to open an orphanage that would provide a loving and stable environment for children in need.
Today’s Hutton Settlement exemplifies that mission for 30 children and its founder’s directive that responsibility be an essential part of a caring and loving environment. It is evident in its third annual Christmas tree sale among other entrepreneurial ventures.
The tree farm idea struck Tamara Milliken seven years ago after she became involved with Hutton Settlement through her husband, David, the campus director. Today she’s a house parent to “a really fun group” of 15 boys ranging in ages from 6 to 17. “We decided to make it our mission. My husband and I will be here for life. We love it,” she smiled.
Millikan felt the acreage surrounding the Tudor-style home and cottages was primed for growing. “I thought, gosh we have all this property; trees would be so cool.” Another staff member had the same vision. “I was like, ‘We’re on the same wave length; let’s do this.’ “
Three years ago the first 2,500 trees were planted. “We wanted to have our own U-pick-and-we-cut farm but we wanted people to know about it before they (the trees) got big enough,” Milliken said.
To boost community interest, the petite energetic house parent/tree connoisseur contracted with Inland Paper Co. in Rathdrum for a passel of natural trees. The remaining trees are from Oregon. “We drive to Oregon and pick out a really good batch of nobles and Douglas firs and bring them up. We’re selling them so people will know that pretty soon they’ll be able to pick out their tree and we’ll cut it down.”
The planted trees are approximately 3feet tall and tended to by the Hutton kids. “In the summer each kid has two rows they’re in charge of. They weed their rows, and then I pick another kid to help me water,” said Milliken.
The money earned goes to the upkeep of the tree farm and payment for the Rathdrum and Oregon trees with the remaining balance distributed between the kids.
“They get paid for taking care of their rows and working the farm. It’s a learning experience. We tell them what we expect; teach them customer service and make sure the money balances at the end of the shift; if it doesn’t we hold them accountable. If they show up late they get the warning. We tell them this is a real job experience, and you can put this on your resume because you’re getting paid and working,” Milliken emphasized.
The business tasks of helping someone select a tree, taking it to their car or sawing the bottom off for a straight edge, is done with efficient courtesy by Hutton Settlement’s children. Despite their eagerness, Milliken does note a sore spot in the tree growing arena.
“They don’t enjoy the weeding,” she laughed. “But they like doing this (the selling).” The care and feeding of the trees during the summer is “how they earn their spot here. I tell them if you’re not doing a good job out there I won’t put you down for very many shifts here.”
Besides Christmas tree sales, the Settlement’s service group, Salute, has begun a flower growing program and plans to set up a booth at the Millwood Farmers’ Market this spring.
But the tree farm is Milliken’s “baby” and she readily notes sales have been brisk. “We plan to stay open until the trees are gone, or we run out of time,” she said.
“We have been so amazed and impressed with the support we’ve gotten so far. A great big thank you for the support the community has given. It’s just been amazing.”
One of the Hutton Settlement’s missions is to provide a guiding compass for children to navigate through life’s sometimes difficult path. Although Milliken knows growing trees and flowers and learning business essentials are great learning tools, she also knows the real gifts are found within the Settlement’s doors.
“It’s the resiliency and the adaptability of these kids: How strong they are; how they can come from pretty amazing and intense backgrounds; and how quickly they learn to trust and love and have caring relationships. It’s wonderful and inspiring,” Milliken said.
No doubt, Levi Hutton would be mighty proud.