Festival of Trees 18 years old
This is the 18th year of Boundary County residents celebrating the Christmas season with a gift to the community through their support of Festival of Trees. This year, funds raised at the Festival of Trees will go towards the purchase of a 15-passenger van for Boundary Community Hospital.
Many local people have major surgery at hospitals outside Boundary County then come back home to Boundary Community Hospital for recuperation, and often, physical therapy. In many cases the hospital van is their means of transport. On a more regular basis, the residents at the Extended Care Facility need transportation; both for healthcare purposes and, on occasion, for a social event the residents attend.
The current van, purchased by Fry Healthcare Foundation almost 15 years ago, needs replaced. The Board of Directors of Fry Healthcare Foundation made a decision to designate this year’s funds from their largest annual fundraiser, The Festival of Trees, to purchase a new van replacing the old van.
Trees are the stars of the Festival of Trees. Community members, both individuals and businesses, decorate Christmas trees and wreaths for the live auction during Gala Night. Decorators string up to 800 twinkling lights on each tree, which will light the Memorial Hall in a blaze of glory. Each tree and wreath has a unique theme. Decorated stockings and other valuable donated items will be intermingled with the Christmas trees.
Family Night is Friday, December 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. All the trees will be lit and Santa will be there with a candy-cane for all good boys and girls.
Gala Night is the following night Saturday, December 14. The doors open at 5 p.m.
The night of the Gala, a silent auction precedes the live auction. As the silent auction is in progress, attendees stroll around the room admiring the beauty and cleverness of all the decorations and donated items.
Kootenai River Inn, this year’s caterers, will serve a complete dinner with your choice of beef or salmon at 6 p.m.
After dinner, during the live auction, as the emcees describe each item, Chuck Smith Videography will have his camera rolling. Four large screen TVs situated throughout the room will display the auctioned item in full close-up shots. After the emcees finish their description, the auctioneer steps in coaxing, pleading, and persuading as the biding climbs higher and higher.
As the excitement in the room mounts, bidders will reach deep in their pockets to give generously.
Fund-an-Item, Envelope Quest, and the game, 50/50, will all return to Gala Night.
Donated items and decorated stockings, trees, and wreaths are still needed, as well as sponsorship levels of Platinum, Gold, Silver and Copper. Please call Linda Hiatt, (208) 610-4175, or Teresa Rae, (208) 946-6582 for more information.
In keeping with the season’s giving spirit, the entrance fee for Family Night is $5 per family at the door, or donated canned goods; all proceeds will go to the Ministerial Association for their Christmas Food Baskets.
Gala Night tickets are $35 and include dinner. Please purchase Gala Night tickets early to help determine the number of dinners needed.
Tickets are available at Boundary Community Hospital Community Relations Office, online at fryhealthcarefoundation.org, or by calling (208) 267-6912.