Portland, OR. The 37th annual Providence Festival of Trees was a lively kick-off for a season of philanthropic holiday events. The four-day festival raised nearly $1.5 million, had 20,000 visitors and featured more than 100 decorated trees, mini-trees, and holiday displays. The event has raised more than $18 million since it began in 1983. At an opening night gala on December 5th, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Providence Foundations of Oregon, Kelly Buechler, posed for a photo with Blake and Liz Howells, and daughter Ellie. One decorated tree took top honors:
Best of Show was “Country Christmas” sponsored by Play Smart Youth Heart Screenings. Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, and friends
Steve Dunn and Angelica Thornton from KATU serve as hosts for the evening.
Doug Cain, Executive Director of Providence Newberg Health Foundation and wife Jill
Portland’s Singing Christmas Tree entertains.
Auctioneer Johnna Wells and Safeway’s Jill McGinnis are joined by raffle tree winner Cheri Hick
Johnna Wells with Rick Mahler from Packhouz Jewelers announce the winner of the Diamond raffle – 75 tickets sold for the 75th anniversary of the child center.
After the gala dinner auction, the halls are thrown open for visitors.
The money raised supports the programs and services of Providence Health & Services, providing critically needed health care for children and adults and advancing nationally recognized clinical research.
From Providence:
Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.
Portland, OR. The 36th annual Providence Festival of Trees wrapped up after four days of holiday fun and 20,000 visitors enjoying the most impressive and uniquely decorated trees in the festival’s history.
It was also a year of record-breaking fundraising for Providence Children’s Health. Between the tree auction and ticket sales, the festival raised $1,610,000 for newborn services. The money will fund research in delayed umbilical cord clamping – a study being done by Providence researchers to boost infant brain development. Funds will help Providence Beginnings – a program for underserved and at-risk pregnant women. Proceeds will also help clinical teams in rural communities get help with high-risk deliveries through Providence telemedicine.
The People’s Choice Award for the public show was Tree-Ranosaurus Rex Sponsor: CIDA Inc./ LKA Fundraising & Communications
The designers were Lynne Sheppard, Connie Poppy and Jim Sheppard.
The fundraiser kicked off with a auction on November 29th.
Dave Salesky of KATU broadcasting the weather live from the Festival floor.
Archbishop Sample visits with friends to kick off the Christmas season.
Over 850 people were in attendance.
Patrick Lamb Band performs with Derrick McDuffy and Kingdom Sound.
Guests enjoy a photo op among the beautiful trees.
Tree Name: Twilight at Timberline Sponsor: The Kendall Family Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, Martin Stone, Carol Nielsen and Judy Han
Tree Name: Natale Italiano Sportivo Sponsor: Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo Designers: Nicole Schatz, Judi Smith, Rawlen Smith and Chuck Stevens
Tree Name: Who? Who’s coming to town? Sponsor: iHeart Media Designers: Sandy Miller, Shelly Hamann, Mark Johnson, family and friends
Tree Name: Home Sweet Home Sponsor: Northwest Society of Interior Designers Designers: Gayle Standage, Terrance Mason, Susie Buchanan, Judy Cusack, Brittany Kurtz, Kaitlyn Danna, Jared Hermann, and Mark Tracy
From Providence:
Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.
Portland, February 12th, 2015. This year’s Providence Child Center Heart of Gold Dinner was an evening full of heartwarming tributes and an outpouring of generosity. Carole Vranizan, Dave Rianda, former Governor Barbara Roberts, and Valerie Fisher enjoyed the evening. The event raised more than $495,000 for Providence’s Center for Medically Fragile Children to support the life enriching programs and therapies that help these children reach their fullest potential.
Jeff Weston, Honoree Joe Weston, Marilyn Weston, and Tiffany Weston
Portland real estate developer and philanthropist Joe Weston was honored with the evening’s Heart of Gold Award for his efforts to provide children with the foundation needed to meet their fullest potential. A video presentation at the event highlighted his commitment to giving back through the OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation, administered through The Oregon Community Foundation. Sales of his properties are put back into community organizations and his generosity has touched more than 400 non-profit organizations last year, including Providence Child Center.
Pat Budo, Administrator, Providence Child Center, presenting Joe Weston with a special gift at the Heart of Gold Award dinner.
Carole Vranizan, Dave Rianda, former Governor Barbara Roberts, and Valerie FisherÂ
Kathy and Mark Kralj, Archbishop Sample, Marti Sample
Past Heart of Gold Award recipient and Portland Trail Blazers legend Bill Schonely was master of ceremonies and shared stories of the inspirational children at the Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children.
From The Providence Child Center:
The Providence Child Center provides services for children of all abilities to help them reach their fullest potential and includes the Center for Medically Fragile Children, the only facility in the Northwest offering24-hour care for children with profound disabilities and complex medical needs, Providence Neurodevelopmental Center for Children, Swindells Resource Center and Providence Wee Care. For more information visit www.providence.org/childcenter.
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