FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Robyn Austin: (801) 580-2073
Primary Children's Medical Center: (801) 662-5967
Salt Lake City, UT - For most, if not all Utahns, the Holiday Season doesn't begin until you have been to the Festival of Trees. It remains the largest display of decorated Christmas trees in the world. The Festival has become an annual tradition for individuals, families, groups large and small, businesses, and neighborhoods. Most importantly, Festival of Trees is, "A Gift of Love" to the children at Primary Children's Medical Center.
One person who loves Festival of Trees is Mr. Dennis England, of Millcreek. He and his wife, Carolyn, have been participating in the Festival for more than 20 years. When asked why he regularly volunteers, England said, "Primary Children's Medical Center is the best charity to donate my time and money to." He continued, "I know families who are uninsured, unemployed, or have had financial setbacks. I can't imagine the burden those parents feel when their child is in need of medical care. I am able to help alleviate their fears and concerns by participating in the Festival of Trees."
Dennis and Carolyn decorate a tree each year, with a small group of friends. For months, this group brainstorms about designing a tree that will have a special appeal to children. "We enjoy coming up with different themes," Dennis says. "Each year is different. One year we had an M&M tree; another time a Disney tree. Most items are donated, so we're never really sure what the final product will look like. I don't know how it happens, but the tree always comes together and looks great!" This, too, is a part of the magic of Festival.
The England's enjoy all the fun that is associated with the Festival. However, fun aside, they say their main motivation is the children. "We do it for the kids."
Festival of Trees is organized by an 86-member volunteer board chaired by Shauna Kerr, Centerville; Kathy Bess, South Jordan; Marie Partridge, Kaysville; and Karen Robinson, West Jordan. This volunteer board works diligently throughout the year to organize this four-day event and is committed to helping children.
One-hundred percent of funds raised by the Festival of Trees benefits children at Primary Children's Medical Center. In 2010, the hospital expended over $12.4 million to cover 13,587 hospital visits by children in need. Physicians donate their services to charity care patients. Every penny raised supports the hospital's charity care mission, specialized equipment to manage pain and anxiety and programs such as music therapy, bereavement counseling and much more.
As the only full-service children's hospital in the Intermountain West, Primary Children's Medical Center offers cutting edge treatment in over sixty subspecialties, from diabetes to Down syndrome, and asthma to orthopedics. The hospital's 291 beds hold the most critically ill and injured children in a five-state area who require the most sophisticated care. In addition, Primary Children's is one of only ten Pediatric Trauma One hospitals in the nation.
Festival of Trees began 41 years ago, with a display of 60 trees. Today there are over 700 trees, each with its own unique style - ornate, trendy, whimsical, creative, humorous, and sentimental. Every tree is decorated and donated by individuals, families, businesses, church groups, and community organizations. Nearly 95,000 people visited the Festival last year to see displays of imaginatively decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread creations, backyard playhouses, and quilts. The Festival also features gifts, treats, activities for children and entertainment for the entire family. There is something for everyone.
Six year old Emma Watson loves many things about Festival of Trees. As a patient at Primary Children's Medical Center, Emma says, "When I go to the Festival of Trees I look at the pretty trees, I eat the yummy scones. I play in the bubble machine and I watch the singers and dancers. But my favorite part of the Festival of Trees is that it helps kids just like me!"
Celebrate the Holiday Season and the love our community has for children by attending the 2011 Festival of Trees! This year's Festival will take place Wednesday, November 30 through Saturday, December 3 at the South Towne Expo Center, 9575 South State Street in Sandy, Utah, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are: $5.00/adults; $4.00/seniors; and $3.00/children age 11 and under. Children younger than 2 years of age are free. Discount tickets are available at Zions Bank locations for: $4.00/adults; $2.50/children. Wednesday, November 30 is "Family Day," where six immediate family members are admitted for $15.00. For more information visit www.festivaloftreesutah.org
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For more information please contact:
Robyn Austin Millicent Segura Bahr
Festival of Trees Publicity Chair Primary Children's Medical Center
(801) 580-2073 (801) 662-5967