Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The 2004 Festival of Trees will be from Nov. 17-21 at Town Center Mall, 119 E. Center St., Warsaw. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, the last day of the festival.
The trees and wreaths are ready to be picked up by the designers at the Health Care Foundation office. Designers will have approximately one month to complete the decorations. Christy Rhodes, chairwoman of the designer committee, said, "We have 30 trees and 16 wreaths to be picked up. There also will be centerpieces and mantelpieces available. Some of the trees are 'thank you' to the sponsors, some are community giving trees that go to needy families and the rest are included in the silent auction, which runs throughout the event. All wreaths, centerpieces and mantelpieces are cash and carry."
The festival benefits the Health Care Foundation in Kosciusko County. Proceeds of the festival will enable the Foundation to purchase cribs and clothing for babies in need through the BABE program, enable the active listener program to help individuals with goal-setting and problem-solving through the Care Connection client assistance program and help the bicultural community through the PUENTE program to bridge the gap between Hispanics and the rest of the community they live in.
Sponsorships are available at the following levels: platinum, $1,500 and up; gold, $1,000-$1,499.99; silver, $500-$999.99; friend of the festival, $499.99 and under; and community giving trees, $400 (eight are available on a first-come, first-served basis); in-kind sponsors may donate gift baskets, services, gift0 certificates or other program needs.
Ace Hardware, Dennie House, Elder-Beerman and Kmart provided designer discount coupons for the festival.
Again this year, the Foundation will host a ladies tea Dec. 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Miller's Merry Manor, Warsaw. Tickets will be $10 and will be presold and not available at the door.
Tracie Smith, executive director of the Health Care Foundation, said, "We're always looking for new designers - either groups or individuals. Anyone who would like to participate should call the Foundation office to be added to the list for next year."
For more information, contact the Health Care Foundation of Kosciusko County office, 119 E. Center St., Suite A-3, Warsaw, call 574-268-2273 or e-mail healthcare@kconline.com
