2012 Festival of Trees Raises More than $150,000 to Support The Baby Fold
2012 Festival of Trees Raises More than $150,000 to Support The Baby Fold
Annual Holiday Festival has raised a total of nearly $2 million
BLOOMINGTON, IL – The Baby Fold held the annual check presentation this afternoon for the 2012 Festival of Trees. The 19th annual Festival raised $152,000 to help children and families served by The Baby Fold. The 2012 event was held Nov. 9-11 and is the single largest fundraising event of the year for The Baby Fold. This year’s earnings bring the total raised by the Festival over the last 18 years to $1,976,108.
“Every year, families from across Central Illinois visit the Festival to begin their celebration of the Holidays and generously support The Baby Fold in the true spirit of giving. It’s because of their support and the support of dedicated volunteers and sponsors, that we are able to help children and families throughout the year,” Baby Fold President/CEO Dale Strassheim said.”
This year more than 8,000 guests visited the U.S. Cellular Coliseum decorated with hundreds of custom trees, wreaths and holiday decorations. The Festival auction sold 446 holiday items including 74 trees, 67 gingerbread items along with wreaths, centerpieces, celebrity items and more. The total amount raised at the auction was $48,209.50. The rest of the proceeds were raised through sponsorships and donations.
Highlights from the 2012 Festival of Trees included an opening night light show and performance by the Chamber Orchestra from the Illinois Symphony, Avanti’s Family Night, Breakfast with Santa and a performance from one of the most sought after Christian bands in the nation – Remedy Drive.
More than 2,000 volunteers helped to organize and execute the event.
