Festival of Trees collects $150,000 and sets another record for giving

It was another record showing for the Festival of Trees, which topped itself for the seventh straight year in the amount it raised from the community.
Donors brought in trees and wreaths they had decorated themselves and people placed bids for them with money going to Lifeline Emergency Response system and the Close to Home Hospice Hospitality House.
Last year was a banner year because the festival broke $1 million in contributions over the 20 years of the event.
This year, it added $150,000 to that total.
Donor Greg Dougherty of Greg’s Welding set a new record when he bought a Peabody Energy Christmas tree for a total of $15,000.
After he bought the tree, Dougherty turned around and donated it to Close to Home Hospitality House.
The trees’ theme is Father Christmas. It includes four separate trees arranged in a cluster, as well as an antique Father Christmas set up with the trees.
By Tuesday, the trees should be in the Close To Home great room, said Nachelle McGrath, executive director of the Campbell County Healthcare Foundation.
The Festival of Trees continues to build on its success because the community supports the cause, McGrath said.
“It really is a community event that everyone stands behind and supports and that’s the only way it becomes a true success,” she said.
The event itself continues to get better through the years, McGrath thought. She credits volunteers for putting in the time with tasks like setting up and taking down displays, all of which help make the Festival of Trees an even bigger success by the time that the displays come down at the end of the day.

Judge’s choice
Large Tree: First place, Top Hat Snowmen; second place, Rustic Christmas; third place, Winter Wedding Bliss
Elf Tree: First place, In the Eye of the Beholder; second place, Honey Bee Merry; third place, Champagne and Sparkles
Wreath: First place, Shimmery Chic; second place, Meet Me at the Clock; third place, Reflections of a Firefighter
Public Choice
Large Tree: First choice, Father Christmas; second choice, Saving Hearts and Homes; third choice, Quiet Reflections
Elf Tree: First choice, (Sn)ow One Fights Alone; second choice, Champagne and Sparkles; third choice, Home Grown Wreath
Wreath: First choice, Shimmery Chic; second choice, Reflections of a Firefighter; third choice, Meet Me at the Clock.
Senior’s Choice
Large Tree: Father Christmas
Elf Tree: Glory to the Newborn King
Wreath: Shimmery Chic
Children’s Choice
Large Tree: Wing and a Prayer
Elf Tree: Tangled with Rapunzel
Wreath: Shimmery Chic
Committee Choice
Large Tree: Top Hat Snowmen
Elf Tree: (Sn)ow One Fights Alone
Wreath: Shimmery Chic