The Skagit Regional Health Foundation’s annual Festival of Trees raised a record-breaking $580,218 during Thanksgiving weekend 2024. Event proceeds will support the Foundation’s $1.6 million Family Birth Center Campaign.

“This year’s Festival of Trees showcased the incredible generosity and spirit of our community,” said Foundation Board President Zach Barborinas. “We are thrilled to see these funds support our mission to improve care for families.

Kris Wollan, who co-chaired the event with fellow Foundation trustee Sandra Nootenboom, added, “The Festival of Trees is not just about fundraising—it’s about coming together as a community to make a difference for future generations.”

In partnership with Title Sponsor Peoples Bank, the Foundation hosted two events at the Saint Joseph Center in Mount Vernon. Highlights included the Friday, November 29 Gala and Auction sponsored by Heritage Bank, Dwayne Lane’s Skagit Subaru and Pacific Woodtech.

The Friday gala drew more than 500 attendees and featured a live auction of 23 stunningly decorated Christmas trees, live auction experience packages, a tree raffle, designer wreaths and mini tree sales. High-bid items included:

• The Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Tasting for Twelve, sponsored by the Skagit Regional Health Foundation Trustees
• A Sitka, Alaska Fishing Trip for Four, sponsored by Reel Class Charters, Hughes Farms, Wallace Farms and Skagit Farmers Supply
• The tree titled “Bubbly and Bright,” sponsored by Bellingham Anesthesia Associates and designed by Bradley Sloan, Deanna Babington and Jessie Bennett (pictured above)

The weekend concluded with two Family Festival Days sponsored by Whidbey Coffee on Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1. Guests enjoyed viewing the trees, participating in the kids’ activities sponsored by Sound Cedar Lumber and listening to live entertainment by local performers.

This year’s annual tree raffle winner was LeAnne Wiseman of Mount Vernon, who won “Christmas in the Northwest,” designed by Shelly Langness, Lee Ann Dean, Lisa Lane, Heather Lindsay and Beth Van Putten.

Several design honors were announced during the Designer Appreciation event, sponsored by Blade Chevrolet:

• Designers’ Choice, Designer Sponsor’s Choice, and Public’s Choice: A Stroll Through A Pacific Northwest Forest, designed by Angie Dixon
• President’s Choice: North Pole National Park, designed by Adele Barborinas, Christa Roozen, Sarah Whitten, Andrea Roozen, Nichole Roozen, Christy Fisher and Ashlynn Barborinas
• Festival Chairs’ Choice and Team Spirit: Over the River and Through the Woods, designed by Nancy Angel, Jessie Nutting, Callan Saylor and Ben Angel
• Most Original Theme: Wrenching Around the Christmas Tree, designed by Matt Helgeson, Jessica Helgeson, LeAnne Wiseman and Alicia Wiseman
• Most Traditional Theme: Ready for Christmas?, designed by Jill Christensen, Amy Colburn, Michelle Knutzen, Jaylen Christensen and Colleen Knutzen
• Best Children’s Theme: Build Yourself a Merry Little Brickmas, designed by Frieda Fuhrmann, Kristin Caldwell and Mary Hoback
• Best Tree Topper: An Old-Fashioned Christmas, designed by Holly Tobiason, Debbie Connolly and Jennifer Olmsted
  

“We are incredibly grateful for the creativity and hard work of our designers and the generosity of our sponsors and attendees,” said Executive Director Linda Frizzell. “This event is a true testament to the strength of our community.”

To view all 2024 auction trees and experience packages, visit https://www.skagitregionalhealth.org/docs/default-source/foundationdocs/2024-festival-of-trees.pdf?sfvrsn=ae29705_1

Save the date! The 37th Annual Festival of Trees will take place Thanksgiving Weekend, November 28-30, 2025.