KELSEYVILLE— On Saturday, Hospice Services of Lake County held their fifth annual Festival of Trees fundraising dinner hosted by Kelseyville Lumber and Sophie’s Day Spa. The event has become a local tradition, bringing the community together as both local businesses and residents work collaboratively to donate and purchase 24 fully decorated holiday trees with the proceeds going to Hospice and their many bereavement support programs.
The auction was led by emcee Jennifer Strong of Strong Financial Services and auctioneer Shaun Hornby who together kept their audience in stitches – and in their pockets. Strong would describe in detail the elaborate designs and express her genuine gratitude for the bidders sharing, “Without bidders we don’t have buyers, so we appreciate the bids!” In a moment of comical banter Strong announced her interest in the Upon a Wing and a Prayer tree designed by Traci Stephens-McCoy from Traci’s Flowers exclaiming “Scott yell it out, I’m bidding.” Hornby returned “I’m bidding.” The guests all laughed.
Executive Director Scott McFarland who has been in the position only 91 days said, “It is an honor to be part of this team. This is the most dedicated, caring, compassionate group of individuals I have overhead the honor to lead. Thank you all for helping us celebrate this event, this is my first time here it’s been amazing and beautiful.”
The dinner began at 5 p.m. with skewered charcuterie and stuffed endive appetizers from Doughbaby Pizza and a no-host bar serving local wines and hand crafted beer from Kelsey Creek Brewery. Dinner was provided by Lake Event Design who also provided the holiday decor, party tents and other supplies. Over the course of the evening attendees viewed the donated trees which drastically range in style, from traditional to elegant and everything in between.
This year there were several crowd favorites including two Nightmare Before Christmas themed trees as well as two Barbie themed trees. Though the trees that brought in the highest bids were the Neon Lights tree donated by Lady Luck Garage and designed by Lynn Corey which sold for $3,000, followed by the Nutcracker tree purchased by the Kearny Family for $5,300 which was donated by Sophie’s Day Spa and designed by Jamie Sells. According to many in attendance, the tree that stole the show was the very last tree titled White Butterflies, donated in honor of the late Bill Kearny and designed by Dana Kearny, Lori Coovert, Allison Card and Jamie Sells. The tree was auctioned for $20,000 and was purchased by Bill and Patty Bernetti as well as Sutter Health, who in turn donated the tree to Tribal Health. From the tree auction alone Hospice Health Services of Lake County was able to raise over $58,000. This is on top of ticket sales, floral arrangement sales, and a silent auction.
These funds directly help the Hospice Services of Lake County continue to provide the level of care they do as well as help support their many programs which include the Wings of Hope family bereavement camp that Hospice hosts every year in Upper Lake and a multitude of others. This month Hospice is hosting a “Light up a Life” ceremony of remembrance to honor lost loved ones, heal, and inspire hope for the future. In a recent press release Janine Smith-Citron, Director of Development noted, “The public is invited to this candle-lighting ceremony that celebrates the memories of family, friends and loved ones who have gone before us.” She wrote.
“A special tribute to military veterans will be presented by the Lake County Honor Guard. The evening includes a candle lighting ceremony, musical performances by the Praises of Zion Baptist Church choir, and a message of remembrance given by Adventist Health Clearlake Chaplain J. Murdock with contributions by Lake County Poet Laureate Georgina Marie Guardado, and Pastor Jonathan Green.” The ceremony will be held at the Kelseyville United Methodist Church on Friday December 8 located at 3810 Main Street in Kelseyville starting at 6:30 p.m.
