Safe Haven for Cats takes home the top prize in the 2nd Annual Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge at American Tobacco.

Safe Haven for Cats was named the winner of the 2nd Annual Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge Thursday, December 22, 2011.

The challenge, at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, asked the public to vote on 59 trees decorated by area non-profit groups. More than 20,000 voters were cast – online and via text message – and Safe Haven for Cats came out on top. The organization wins a $5,000 donation.

The Coalition to Unchain Dogs and Ivy Community Service Foundation were the second and third place vote-getters. They will receive $2,500 and $1,000, respectively.

A panel of judges awarded the following recognition as well:

• The Wool E. Bull Prime Cut award goes to the Salvation Army of Wake County.
• The Fox50 Community First award goes to TROSA.
• The DPAC Community Star award goes to The Healing Place.
• Durham Economic Resource Center, The Scrap Exchange and Trips for Kids won celebrity choice awards. 

Visit the Triangle Christmas Tree Challenge online to see pictures of all the entries, including all these lucky winners.

Thanks to WRAL.com for this capcom story & photo.