Rebekah Children’s Services will present the Second Annual
Festival of Trees this weekend, a fundraiser to benefit the
children’s health organization.
Rebekah Children’s Services will present the Second Annual Festival of Trees this weekend, a fundraiser to benefit the children’s health organization.
Last year’s inaugural Festival of Trees raised $38,000, said Eleanor Villareal, chief funding officer for Rebekah Children’s Services. This year, sponsors have donated a total of $30,000, she said, with additional funding coming from personal donations.
The money helps support the seven child health care programs provided by Rebekah Children’s Services to more than 1,000 students in 11 Gilroy schools. The organization, which has operated from its location at 290 IOOF Ave. for 109 years, also runs an on-campus, non-public school for severely emotionally disturbed children. Other programs include 24-hour residential care, foster care placement and adoption.
Villareal didn’t have a projection for how much the festival will raise this year, but raising money is only one of the organization’s goals for the event, she said.
“We are trying to give back to our community through this wonderful event, and we’re trying to promote who we are and create awareness,” she said.
More than 400 volunteers and 49 committees will coordinate this year’s festival, which is supported by a number of corporations, organizations and volunteers including Shapell Industries, Standard Pacific Homes, Wal-Mart, Heritage Bank, South Valley Disposal and Recycling, St. Louise Hospital, Rebekah Children’s Services Board of Directors, ConAgra, Anritsu, South Valley Newspapers, Thomas Kinkade Inc., Orchard Supply Hardware, Vallie and “Bish” Bishop and Charles and Deb Whittenberg.
A premier, black tie optional dinner and live and silent auction will take place from 6 to 10:30pm Friday, featuring a multi-course dinner and the chance to bid on items such as handcrafted stockings, miniature Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and unique wreaths. Admission to the dinner and auctions is $75 per person.
From 10am to 9pm Saturday and from 10am to 5pm Sunday the Family Fun Days takes place, with collections of decorated trees, table-top trees and wreaths and gingerbread houses. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, interactive gaming activities and visits with Santa. Children also can participate in Rudolph’s Crafty Corner, a holiday arts and crafts area. Admission to Family Fun Days is $3 for adults and $2 for children.
The Sounds of the Season concert will take place from 2 to 4:30pm Sunday, with holiday music and desserts, coffee and hot cider. Admission is $15 for adults and $3 for children younger than 12.
The festival will take place at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road. Parking for all events is free.
For more information about the Festival of Trees, visit www.rcskids.org/FOT.
For more information about Rebekah Children’s Services, visit www.rcskids.org or call 846-2100.
