{festival of trees}

The past two years, I have served on my dear friend Kathy Bess' Festival of Trees committee. Being a part of this amazing fundraiser (100% of all proceeds go to Primary Children's Medical center) has been a life-changing experience for me. Even as a committee member, it was one of the most exhileratingly exhausting weeks. And that was just with working a shift or two during the week of Festival and prep leading up to Festival. This year is my first year on the Executive Board for Festival, which I am learning is such an amazing responsibility....and one that is so overwhelmingly fulfilling. In addition to months of preparation and meetings, Festival for Board Members lasts just over a week (with set up and clean up...instead of the 4 days that it is open to the public) and we are AT Festival from 9 AM-11 PM every night except Saturday...in which we are there from 9 AM - approx. 2 AM wrapping trees...and then back again on Sunday morning at 8 AM to deliver trees. SUCH a great responsibility...but such AMAZING blessings in my life as a result...so rewarding. What a MIRACLE it is for me to have this opportunity to serve.





I was assigned to join a team of 3 other wonderful Board Members to be over ENTERTAINMENT for Festival this year (I will be CAMPED OUT...and running around like crazy....at the NORTH STAGE this year. So excited!). In addition, I was asked to take on the additional assignment of decorating all three lobby entrances into the Festival and was happy to do so.I am so overwhelmingly blessed to have the opportunity to serve in such a great capacity. I am also SO richly blessed and grateful for MY own new committee that so willingly accepted my invitation to serve, and the COUNTLESS hours they have spent preparing for Festival and the hours they WILL spend volunteering AT Festival with me.












These amazing volunteers are not people who were just sitting around waiting for something to do. They are ALL people who DON'T have time to be there...and MADE time. As a result of their great sacrifice and desire to serve, there is an AMAZING spirit among the volunteers at Festival. So much love for these great people and for this amazing event...for such a great purpose.







And though the Festival will not be open to the public until this Wednesday, November 30th, my committee and volunteers (along with the committees and volunteers of 84 other Board Members) started our prep MONTHS ago and started decorating at the Sandy Expo Center this past Saturday. I was so overwhelmed to have over 20 volunteers (including a number of my committee) gather on Saturday to assist in decorating all three entrances to the Expo Center. And so, when you visit us at the Festival of Trees this week and notice the beautiful Christmas Displays outside each of the entrances, please take a moment to thank this amazing group of people in your heart, for the time they have sacrificed and the great care they took to designing what will bethe FIRST thing you see before you enter Festival of Trees this year.


Much love to my committee and these wonderful volunteers for your great service on Saturday...and your continued service this week. Also, a very special thank you to Chas (who has been so amazing to accomodate my crazy schedule this week, knowing how important Festival is to me. So grateful for his support) and all of the other angels who will be helping to watch my babies this week, so that I am ABLE to be of service. YOU are great blessing to me. It's going to be a GREAT week at Festival!!!

Come and join us at FESTIVAL OF TREES...November 30-December 3 at the SANDY EXPO CENTER!! 100% OF ALL PROCEEDS from FESTIVAL OF TREES goes to PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Comments

[Lynn]

Oh wow! This is so cool to see all the hard work that goes behind the scenes for something like this. My sister and her husband have actually purchased a tree each year from this fundraiser. I had NO idea you were involved. So cool! What a worthy cause. Amazing.

[Julianne]

I wanted so much to be able to go this year, but alas my work schedule didn't open up!! Looks like an amazing year for Festival of Trees!! Glad you had a lot of help! Way to give back!