33rd Annual Festival of Trees A Success!
The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation’s 33rd annual Festival of Trees raised more than $225,000 during Thanksgiving weekend. Proceeds will support Skagit Regional Health’s Family Birth Centers.
“We are so very thankful to the community for their support of the event and ultimately, for their support of Skagit Regional Health,” said Linda Frizzell, executive director of the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation.
In partnership with Title Sponsors Peoples Bank and Whidbey Coffee, the Foundation hosted the event in a covid friendly, non-traditional format for the second year in a row. Community members were able to stroll downtown Mount Vernon’s First Street and view 48 beautifully designed Christmas trees presented in storefront windows. The Tree Stroll was sponsored by Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru.
On Friday, November 19th carolers and holiday characters were found strolling First Street and refreshments were available in Pine Square during the kick-off of the on-line auction sponsored by Heritage Bank. The Washington State University tree “We Always Find Our Way Back Home,” a red and white festooned tree titled “Let it Snow,” and “Dreaming of A White Christmas,” a stunning white tree that came with a private viewing of the movie “White Christmas” at the Lincoln Theatre were among the high-bid auction items.
Several design honors were also announced:
- Best Children’s Theme: “Celebrate Your Inner Elf” designed by Nancy and Ben Angel and Michelle Roessel
- Most Traditional Theme: “Let It Snow” designed by Becky Wells and DiAnn Sager
- Best Tree Topper: “Sweater Weather” designed by Adele Barborinas, Christa Roozen and Christy Fisher
- President’s Choice: “Elfin Around” designed by Tammy Ringhouse, Pam Ringhouse, Tori Jackson, Wendy Ringhouse Couch, Alyssa Ringhouse and Sara Ringhouse
- Most Original Theme: “It’s A Cruella Christmas” designed by Bradley Sloan, Deanna Babington and Samantha Stormont
- Public Day Choice: “Celebrate Your Inner Elf” designed by Nancy and Ben Angel and Michelle Roessel
- Designers’ Choice: “Christmas In The Village” designed by Virginia Learned, Christina Martin, Demi Daman and Donna Pulver
“We are grateful to our sponsors, bidders, buyers and volunteers who support the Festival through their gifts of treasure, time and talent,” said Foundation trustee Bobbi Fisher who co-chaired with Ria Peth.
About the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation: Established in 1988, the Foundation’s mission is to raise, manage and distribute funds to assure the continued availability of quality health care services and programs. Over the past 31 years, the Foundation has raised more than $17 million.