2009 Festival of Trees "Gifts of the Season" raises more than $655,000
The first week of December goes into the history books as the Foundation’s most successful Festival of Trees yet—bringing in nearly $655,000 in revenue. A sincere thank you to the 2009 Festival Chair’s Gordon and Carol Bjorg, Title Sponsor Mortenson Construction, volunteers, and the many other sponsors and guests who helped make history this year.
The Festival week began at the Everett Events Center with a group of more than 40 designers, elaborately decorating 26 beautiful trees, wreaths or holiday tablescapes. From nutcracker themes to trees with twirling sculptures, the beautiful creations were some of the most elegant and traditional ever displayed.
More than 340 guests enjoyed the Opening Night event, featuring 176 silent auction items, jazz entertainment and dancing among the festive trees.
The free Community Open House on Wednesday brought in nearly 3,000 people into the grand ballroom at the Event Center to view the trees, enjoy entertainment by local community groups, and have a photo taken with Santa…but only after children enjoyed making some holiday crafts.
The sold-out, black-tie Gala event attracted more than 500 guests adorned in their holiday best. Thirty-four items were auctioned off during the evening bringing in more than $135,000 in proceeds to benefit the Providence Children’s Center. A special Fund-a-Need presentation featuring three families from the Children’s Center brought in an additional $124,000 of support.
The final and one of the most popular events of the week—Teddy Bear Breakfast—packed the sold-out house with nearly 600 guests. Children and the young-at-heart enjoyed a hearty breakfast, photos with Santa, whimsical entertainment, and ice skating for all.
2008 Festival of Trees “The Magic Lives On” raises $573,000
Tables and chairs have been stacked and stored, the stage dismantled, and our wonderful volunteers and friends are back with families eager to begin their own holiday traditions. And, the stars of the show, our beautiful trees, are in their new homes where they will continue to charm, delight, inspire and remind - just as they did during Festival week.
Thank you to each and every one who shared time, talent and treasure in this epic endeavor. Your success was evident in the wide-eyed delight of the pre-schoolers, senior citizens and everyone in between who visited the Events Center during Festival week. It was found in the blinking martinis and Santas, lovely baskets, generous wine selection and extraordinarily beautiful trees. It was friends meeting friends and families gathered together. It was the tangible celebration of the spirit of Christmas and the alchemy that turns good intentions into the miracle of health for children.
Collectively, we made magic this week and raised $573,000 for the Providence Children’s Center. And though the ‘The Magic Lives On" theme is now retired, it is our hope that the magic will live on in this community we’re blessed to call home.