2008 Highlights
The 2008 Festival of Trees continued the tradition of celebrating the lifesaving efforts of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and Health Center by further supporting the hospital's critical care services for the families of our region. In addition, the Festival provided a series of community events to launch the holiday season.REVENUES IN EXCESS OF $1.7 MILLION. Festival's contributions to Mary Bridge over the last 21 years now total over $16.3 million
Over 11,000 people attended the 2008 Festival of Trees, enjoying one of the three public days or five private celebrations.
More than 50 year-round planning committees, consisting of over 300 volunteers, attended to the preparation of the event. More than 1,500 volunteers worked during Festival week at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, contributing over 50,000 hours of service.
Gala Auction & Dinner, sponsored by J.R. Abbott Construction, attracted a crowd of 650, and generated auction revenues of nearly $750,000, including more than $331,000 in Fund-an-Item contributions.
JingleBell Jam, sponsored by the John L. Scott Real Estate Foundation, hosted 425 guests to an exciting evening of dinner, an auction, and dancing until 1:00 a.m. Gross auction revenues were approximately $259,000, including $148,850 for the Parent Apartment program.
Festival's newest event, Candy Cane Carnival, sponsored by Cascade Regional Blood Services, is an event where kids raise money for kids. Team of kids' putt-putt golf generated nearly $8,000.
Led by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Associated Petroleum Products, Propel Insurance, Unigard Insurance Group, and the Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Festival received corporate sponsorship support from 25 local, regional and national businesses. Festival sponsors contributed more than $267,000 in cash to the event.
Over 100 local businesses, organizations, and individuals gave more than $143,000 to sponsor Festival's 70 beautiful trees.