Christmas trees on view today at festival after gala, auction
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News
“Kringlekin Elves Made In America,” designed by Sherry Phillips and sponsored by the Irwin Dental Center, was one of the two top trees, each selling for $6,000, at the Festival of Trees gala. Bill and Kay Hermann were the winning bidders.
Peninsula Daily News
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The festival's gala dinner and auction brought in a total of $162,940, which, after expenses, will mean that the annual fundraiser nets nearly $113,000 for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, said Executive Director Bruce Skinner.
The tree auction alone brought in $74,300, Skinner said.
The 53 decorated trees and 43 wreaths are displayed at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 W. Fourth St.
Today is the final day of the festival's Family Days, a fundraiser for the Port Angeles Exchange Club that began Saturday.
Admission is $5 per person — free for children 7 and younger — from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.
After strolling among the Christmas trees, visitors can enjoy music and children's activities.
Skinner said the breakdown of money raised Friday night at the 22nd annual gala, which drew 490 people, is:
■ Tree auction — $74,300.
■ Fund need, which are simple donations — $31,400.
■ Wreath/silent auction — $5,200.
■ Food and beverage — $3,100.
■ Ticket sales — $18,190.
■ Sponsorship — $30,750.
Skinner expects expenses to be about $50,000, for a net total of $112,940.
“This wasn't our best year — but close to it,” Skinner said.
Last year, the gala auction alone brought in a record-breaking $109,000, which surpassed the record of $107,000 reached in 2007.
Two trees were top-sellers at Friday's auction. Each went for $6,000.
“Christmas Coach Fashionista,” designed by Lynette Crouse and Bobbie Kreider and sponsored by the Elwha River Casino, was sold to Jack and Terri Harmon.
“Kringlekin Elves Made in America,” designed by Sherry Phillips and sponsored by the Irwin Dental Center, was sold to Bill and Kay Hermann.
In 2011, the highest bid for a decorated tree was $7,500. It was for Westport Shipyard's tree, “Hillbilly Holiday.”
The festival also included two Teddy Bear Teas on Friday, a Saturday morning Senior Breakfast and — new this year — a Saturday night dance, themed “Home for the Holidays.”
Last modified: November 24. 2012 5:47PM
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