Town Center Mall was beautifully decorated and brightly lit Monday evening as this year's Festival of Trees came to a close with the annual auction, with guest auctioneer Tricia Sloma, WNDU-TV. Funds raised go to the Health Care Foundation, which supports BABE, ParentShare and Care Connection Client Assistance Program to provide improved health care, parenting skills and access to education and support services.

The festival had a slightly different look this year, with fewer trees and the addition of wreaths and theme baskets, but maintained the creativity shown in past festivals. The festival moved to Town Center Mall, home of the Health Care Connection, to support the theme, "Coming Home for the Holidays."

Those who designed the trees and wreaths ranged from school groups to Retired Tigers, and the designs themselves ran the gamut from basic country to elegant crystal. While many of the trees, wreaths and baskets were auctioned, some were set aside for the raffle and several of the smaller trees will be given to families in need.

Awards for the design of the trees were given in two categories - Designer Awards, selected in advance, and the People's Choice Awards, chosen during the Monday auction. Top winner in both categories was "Nature's Woodland Christmas," designed by Laurie Kerr and Kelly Boggs, and sponsored by Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Designer Awards for Honorable Mention in trees went to: "The Raggedys Say ... 'Have a Home Spun Christmas,'" designed by Christy Rhoades and sponsored by Kosciusko Community Hospital; and "Celebrating Golden Memories," designed by Cari Dorrel and sponsored by Miller's Merry Manor. Two wreaths received honorable mention in Designer Awards: "Circle of Love," designed by Mary Titus, and "Sporty Snowmen," designed by Mrs. Bailey's fifth-grade class at Washington Elementary School.

People's Choice Honorable Mention awards went to the following trees: "Bob the Builder," designed by Cara Fifer, Sprint Community Relations Team, and "Remember When," designed by Joni Truex and Robin Brown and sponsored by Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County.

Julie Steele, executive director of Health Care Foundation, said, "I am so pleased with the turnout and donations made during the Festival of Trees. I am grateful for the support of the community, designers, sponsors and committee members who made the event possible." Anyone who missed this opportunity to give to the programs sponsored by the Health Care Foundation may do so at any time. For more information, call 268-CARE (2273).

Members of the Health Care Foundation board of directors are: Lowell Owens, president; Richard Helm, vice president; Richard Wright, treasurer; Suzanne Light, secretary; and members Dennis Beville, Patrick Boyle, Nancy Derry, R.N., Suzanne Harrison, R.N., the Rev. Verne Leininger, Joy Lohse, Barb Kintzel, Pam Messmore, Sue Raymer, Joni Truex, Ruth Voreis, Diane Winn and Dot Wyson.

Co-chairwomen of the 2002 Festival of Trees were Suzanne Harrison and Joni Truex, who were assisted by steering committee members Dennis Beville, Robin Brown, Cindy Dobbins, Helm, Kintzel, Lohse, Messmore, Owens, Sandy Patterson, Ann Popenfoose, Raymer, Chris Rhoades, Steele, Voreis and Sue Wagoner.

Signature sponsors were Biomet Inc., DePuy Orthopaedics and Kosciusko Community Hospital. Silver sponsor was Grossnickle Eye Center. Bronze sponsors were Friends of the Health Care Foundation, Key Bank, Miller's Merry Manor, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co., Rockhill Pinnick, Sprint, Symmetry Medical, Wawasee Boat Company and Zimmer. The gala auction event sponsor was Lake City Bank. Other groups of sponsors included theme basket sponsors, program sponsors and general sponsors.

For more information about the Health Care Foundation programs, contact them at 119 E. Center St., Suite A-3, Warsaw, 268-CARE (2273), or e-mail: healthcare@kconline.com [[In-content Ad]]