PRESS RELEASE
November 28, 2023
Contact: Linda Frizzell, Foundation Executive Director (360) 428-2140

Mount Vernon, WA – The Skagit Regional Health Foundation’s 35th annual Festival of Trees raised a remarkable $501,574 during Thanksgiving weekend. Proceeds will support the Foundation’s Cardiac Cares Capital Campaign.

“To see the success of this event is truly to appreciate the generosity of our amazing community coming together to support a vital patient service,” said Linda Frizzell, executive director of the Skagit Regional Health Foundation.

“We are grateful to our sponsors, bidders, buyers and volunteers who all were a part of the success of this event” said Laura Fisher who co-chaired with fellow Foundation trustee Bobbi Ahrenius.   

In partnership with title sponsor Peoples Bank, the Foundation hosted three events during the Festival of Trees weekend in the Saint Joseph Center in Mount Vernon including the Friday, November 24 Gala and Auction sponsored by Banner Bank and Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru; the Saturday, November 25 “Santa and Friends” concert, sponsored by Whidbey Coffee; and two Family Festival Days November 25 and 26 sponsored by Pacific Woodtech. A Mini Tree Stroll in downtown Mount Vernon, sponsored by Heritage Bank, will continue through December 3.

The Friday gala was attended by more than 500 guests and featured the live auction of 23 spectacularly decorated Christmas trees and a variety of live auction packages, a tree raffle and designer wreath sales. The Sitka, Alaska Fishing Trip for Four, A Trip to Nashville and the tree titled “A Construction Christmas,” sponsored by Foothills Toyota and designed by Matt and Jessica Helgeson, were the high-bid auction items.

Several honors were announced at the Designer Appreciation event sponsored by Blade Chevrolet:

1. Designers’ Choice – Making Spirits Bright, designed by Brad Sloan, Jessie Bennett and Deanna Babington
2. President’s Choice and Most Original Tree Theme – A Construction Christmas, designed by Matt and Jessica Helgeson
3. Most Traditional Theme – A Very Berry Pacific Northwest Christmas, designed by Renee Stone, Dr. Jenny Benson, Dr. Michal Whiton and Jammie Novak
4. Best Children’s Theme – Barbie’s Winter Closet, designed by Demi Daman, Donna Pulver, Virginia Learned and Derek Pulver
5. Public Day Choice, Designer Appreciation Sponsor Choice and Team Spirit Award – Gingerbread Delight, designed by Holly Tobiason, Debbie Connolly and Jennifer Olmsted
6. Best Tree Topper - It’s A Woolley Winter Wonderland, designed by Amy Cann and Elizabeth Friedl
   

The Skagit Regional Health Foundation is concluding a $3 million capital campaign raising funds to purchase updated equipment for the Cardiac Catheterization Labs at Skagit Regional Health.