When Little Compton’s Ben Wilkie lost his life to colon cancer in the summer of 1994, his sister Caroline (Wilkie) Wordell channeled her heartache into action by creating the Ben Wilkie Memorial Tree Spree which raises scholarship money in memory of her late big brother, a well-loved mechanic in town. Little could she have anticipated that the event would still be going strong 23 years later and come to symbolize the community’s unofficial kick off to the Christmas season. An average of 40 scholarships are now awarded each year to Little Compton residents pursuing higher education. Caroline, whose family’s ancestry runs deep in the town, is a graduate of Bristol Community College and for many years she managed Wilbur’s General Store. Caroline credits her brothers Carlton and Chester and families, her daughter Traci and dear friends for all of their invaluable help with the event.
The 23rd Ben Wilkie Memorial Tree Spree will be held on December 4 from 1-7 pm in the Wilbur School gym in Little Compton. To learn more about the scholarship program, visit ScholarshipLittleCompton.org or email Caroline at CWilkie43@cox.net
I was so grief stricken I had to do something positive or I knew it would consume me. I decided to fund a scholarship in his name. The tree spree has taken on a life of its own. One year we had a blizzard but it didn’t stop people from coming. I joke that if we decided not to continue, people would still show up. People are so involved in seeing each other from year to year, and it takes time to walk around and see all the trees. That night is the town’s tree lighting and caroling, and many people will come out for that too.
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