A Christmas Miracle: How The Search for a Christmas Tree United Dearborn Heights

posted on: Dec 17, 2025

By: Emma Campbell / Arab America Contributing Writer

Every year members of the Dearborn Heights, Michigan community gather for their annual Christmas tree-lighting. This annual holiday tradition has residents gather outside City Hall to mark the start of the Christmas season. However, this year, a delayed shipment almost derailed the tradition, leaving the city without a tree just 3 days before the event. In this article, Arab America contributing writer Emma Campbell examines how a last-minute crisis in Dearborn Heights became a moment of community unity – highlighting the role of an Arab American businessman whose donation helped preserve a cherished holiday tradition.

A Holiday Tradition at Risk: How a Shipment Delay Left the City Without a Tree

This year Dearborn Heights’ Mayor Mo Baydoun, alongside city officials, had planned to use a large artificial Christmas tree for the lighting ceremony. However, just days before the scheduled event, the shipping company announced that it would not deliver the tree from China on time. Officials had originally scheduled the shipment to arrive with enough time for assembly and testing. This delay placed the ceremony in jeopardy and forced officials to search for an immediate solution. 

According to Mayor Mo Baydoun, the tree would arrive one day before the lighting, which would be too late for a proper set-up. With the ceremony approaching, city officials faced two options. Either they could cancel the event, or find a real tree large enough to replace the artificial one on short notice. This delay sparked frustration from the town, yet also a sense of urgency. City officials immediately contacted local tree farms across Michigan to find a suitable replacement in time.

The Search for a New Tree

As city staff leapt into action, the goal was to find a real tree that could match the size and appearance needed for the public ceremony. As December was already ongoing, many farms were unable to help. Either the farms had already sold their large trees, or they could not arrange transportation in time. Eventually, city officials contracted Huff’s Tree Farm in Highland, Michigan.

The farm had a tall Norwegian spruce tree available – meeting the city’s needs with quick transport. According to Nicholas Huff, the farm’s part-owner, the request came amidst a normal day of selling Christmas trees. Then, the city expressed their needs, and Huff had the Norwegian spruce in mind, which was “one of the prettiest ones…at the farm”. Huff also added how he was grateful to help the community through his farm, especially during the special Christmas season. While the tree solved the size and timing problem, the tree’s cost remained an obstacle.

A Local Businessman Steps In

Huff’s Tree Farm valued the Norwegian Spruce at $10,000. Covering the cost on short notice was difficult for the city. Huff’s Tree Farm paid part of the bill, but a large sum remained. At this point, Dearborn businessman Sam Hussein offered to help. 

Hussein, who is Arab-American and Muslim, owns Metrotech Automotive Group on Michigan Avenue of East Dearborn. His business is one of many who has contracts with federal government agencies, alongside both state and local. Hussein is a Dearborn native, and his business has flourished for 14 years. 
Hussein agreed to cover the remaining cost of the tree, and his donation allowed the city to secure it immediately and move forward with installation. As a member of the community, Hussein stated, “I thought it was the right thing to do given the circumstances. They had a tree-lighting ceremony set up for this Friday and they were really on a time crunch and this is our way of giving back.” Hussein’s contribution ensured the ceremony could proceed, and outlets like ABC News and the Associated Press later highlighted his role.

A Message of Unity in a Diverse City

Crews installed the tree just days before the scheduled lighting on Friday, December 12th. Residents successfully gathered outside City Hall, and the ceremony went forward without interruption. Mayor Mo Baydoun said the moment carried meaning beyond the holiday, especially as an immigrant Muslim mayor. Dearborn Heights is one of the most diverse cities in Michigan, with residents from many cultural and religious backgrounds. Southeastern Michigan, including Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, also has one of the largest US populations of Arab Americans. 

Additionally, the mayor also stated, “With a lot of the hate that’s kind of going around, we still coexist and we still celebrate the traditions of Christmas, and so we’re able to bring that back to light and showing that this is a unified community and we’re going to stay unified and we’re going to stay working and loving and showing respect to all faiths and religions”. As crews replanted this Christmas tree into the ground, it will remind the community of holiday spirit for years to come.

National Attention and Broader Significance  

The story quickly spread beyond southeast Michigan. News coverage emphasized the symbolism of an Arab American businessman helping preserve a Christmas tradition.What originally began as a logistical setback became a public example of cooperation and generosity. In Dearborn Heights, the Christmas tree ultimately stood not only as a seasonal decoration, but as a reminder of shared values, civic responsibility, and community unity.

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