Community invited to Festival of Trees gala, auction at Bell Gardens Place
Lead Summary
By
Caitlin Forsha-crforsha@gmail.com
Bell Gardens Place is currently preparing for their second annual Festival of Trees, and event organizers Michael Bradford and Ida Juillerat are encouraging local businesses and individuals to decorate a Christmas tree and to attend an auction to bid on the trees.
Last year, the assisted living facility raised over $3,500 in its inaugural Festival of Trees fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting the Highland County Relay for Life. This year, they hope to raise even more funds for the organization, with additional Christmas trees scheduled to be donated this year.
Juillerat, who is the community resource director for Bell Gardens Place, said that they have received commitments for 26 trees thus far, after auctioning 24 donated trees last year.
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“It was something that I had done when I was in the Dayton area, and I wanted to bring it to Hillsboro,” Juillerat said. “We wanted to find a charity that would touch the hearts of people in Highland County. This is Highland County Relay for Life, so we wanted to keep it in Highland County so that the people in Highland County would benefit from the money raised.”
The community is encouraged to attend the Festival of Trees gala and auction, set for Thursday, Dec. 8.
“Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the festivities,” Bradford, the executive director at Bell Gardens, said. “We will have all kinds of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and everything is completely free. All you’ve got to do is buy a tree.”
RSVPs to the tree auction are requested, but not required. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m., and the auction is expected to start around 7 p.m.
Rick Williams of Rick Williams Auction Company will serve as the auctioneer for the event, and desserts will be provided by Batter Up Bakery of Leesburg. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for the tree auction.
For anyone interested in donating a tree for the auction, Juillerat encourages creativity but said that donors can come up with whatever theme they would like to decorate a Christmas tree. Themes featured at last year’s event included an elf tree, a teddy bear tree, a blue and silver tree and a gift card tree, Juillerat said.
“Just use your imagination,” Juillerat said. “Be creative and think outside the box.”
Juillerat added that there is no entry fee associated with donating a tree, just the cost of the tree and decorations. Trees must be five feet tall or less and will be accepted through Dec. 5.
To donate a tree, or to RSVP to the gala, please contact Juillerat at (937) 393-8830.
Last year, the assisted living facility raised over $3,500 in its inaugural Festival of Trees fundraiser, with all proceeds benefiting the Highland County Relay for Life. This year, they hope to raise even more funds for the organization, with additional Christmas trees scheduled to be donated this year.
Juillerat, who is the community resource director for Bell Gardens Place, said that they have received commitments for 26 trees thus far, after auctioning 24 donated trees last year.
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“It was something that I had done when I was in the Dayton area, and I wanted to bring it to Hillsboro,” Juillerat said. “We wanted to find a charity that would touch the hearts of people in Highland County. This is Highland County Relay for Life, so we wanted to keep it in Highland County so that the people in Highland County would benefit from the money raised.”
The community is encouraged to attend the Festival of Trees gala and auction, set for Thursday, Dec. 8.
“Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the festivities,” Bradford, the executive director at Bell Gardens, said. “We will have all kinds of hors d’oeuvres and drinks, and everything is completely free. All you’ve got to do is buy a tree.”
RSVPs to the tree auction are requested, but not required. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m., and the auction is expected to start around 7 p.m.
Rick Williams of Rick Williams Auction Company will serve as the auctioneer for the event, and desserts will be provided by Batter Up Bakery of Leesburg. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for the tree auction.
For anyone interested in donating a tree for the auction, Juillerat encourages creativity but said that donors can come up with whatever theme they would like to decorate a Christmas tree. Themes featured at last year’s event included an elf tree, a teddy bear tree, a blue and silver tree and a gift card tree, Juillerat said.
“Just use your imagination,” Juillerat said. “Be creative and think outside the box.”
Juillerat added that there is no entry fee associated with donating a tree, just the cost of the tree and decorations. Trees must be five feet tall or less and will be accepted through Dec. 5.
To donate a tree, or to RSVP to the gala, please contact Juillerat at (937) 393-8830.