Bell Gardens Place raises $3,500 at inaugural Festival of Trees

Bell Gardens Place raised over $3,500 for Relay for Life through their Festival of Trees gala fundraiser, which the senior assisted living community hosted Dec. 3.

Local Highland County businesses and individuals were asked to decorate and donate five-foot-tall Christmas trees, which were auctioned off during the gala on Thursday.

Twenty-three trees were donated and auctioned off during the event, raising $3,500. All proceeds from the auction were donated to the Highland County Relay for Life, which raises funds for the American Cancer Society.

“Bell Gardens Place would like to thank everyone who donated trees and attended the event to buy trees,” Bell Gardens Place executive director Michael Bradford said. “We also want to give special thanks to Larry’s Party Shop, The Linen Closet, Nancy Scott and the Relay for Life staff and volunteers.”

Bradford also thanked Batter Up Bakery of Leesburg for preparing all of the dessert items for the event.

“The bakery has always been very supportive of Bell Gardens and has participated in many events,” Bradford said.

Christmas trees donated and purchased include:

• A Victorian Christmas tree donated by Beat Cancer, purchased by Tim Koehl.

• A patriotic tree donated by Support Our Troops, purchased by Tim Koehl.

• A country Christmas tree donated by Charlie’s Angels, purchased by Deanna Lyons.

• A retro aluminum tree donated by Mary Hamilton of Wilkin-Wilkin Insurance, purchased by Dr. Jeff Beery.

• An elf tree donated by Lincare purchased by Caryl Moenster.

• A lantern tree donated by Barnyard Cafe, purchased by Darryl Wilson of Suburban Propane.

• An heirloom star tree donated by Tissot’s Home Center, purchased by Merchants National Bank.

• A snowman tree donated by Hazel Smith, purchased by Dr. and Mrs. David Gunderman.

• A wooden Christmas tree donated by Shellie Young at The Beauty Room, purchased by Chris Lewis.

• An Ohio State tree donated by Turner Funeral Home, purchased by Steve McComas.

• A primitive Christmas tree donated by Highland County YMCA, purchased by Merchants National Bank.

• A poinsettia tree donated by Vitas Hospice, purchased by Michael Bradford of Bell Gardens Place.

• A redneck minimalist bottle tree donated by Joan Dillon, purchased by Jane Tissot of Tissot’s Home Center.

• A teddy bear tree donated by Laverna Bryant, purchased by Jean Moenster.

• An old-fashioned snowman tree donated by Walmart, purchased by Lynette Hamilton of Hamilton Insurance.

• A tinsel tree donated by Crossroads Hospice, purchased by Dean Otworth.

• A golden star tree donated by Highland County Sheriff’s Department, purchased by Linda Rover.

• A “Kroger’s Giving Tree” donated by Hillsboro Kroger, purchased by Erin Richmond of Hospice of Hope.

• An “It’s a Wonderful Life” Victorian tree donated by Hospice of Hope, purchased by Michael Bradford of Bell Gardens Place.

• An icicle tree donated by Sue Boone Realty.

• A Ninja Turtle tree donated by Holtfield Station, purchased by Deanna Lyons

• A lottery ticket balloon tree donated by Christy Larrick of The Linen Closet.

• A snow-covered blue and silver tree donated by Merchants National Bank, purchased by Karen Reno.
 
“It was a great event, and all who attended commented on how much they enjoyed the event and being at Bell Gardens Place,” Bradford said. “This will be an annual event, and this was a great success for our first annual event.”