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The Baby Fold Announces New Venue for the 2013 Festival of Trees

Holiday Festival will be held November 21-24, 2013 

BLOOMINGTON, IL – The Baby Fold has selected a new venue for the annual Festival of Trees celebration.  The 2013 Festival will be hosted at the Interstate Center (Mini Expo and West Expo Buildings) at 1106 Interstate Drive in Bloomington and will be held November 21-24, 2013, The Festival of Trees is the single largest fundraising event of the year for The Baby Fold earning a total of nearly $2 million for the organization over the last 19 years.

“Every few years we reevaluate our efforts and processes to ensure we’re maximizing our potential to raise critical funds for The Baby Fold,”  said Julie Payne, Vice President of Development and Public Relations. “We determined there are several factors which contribute heavily to the success of this event including cost, space, ease of access for guests, parking, among others.  After careful review, we found the Interstate Center buildings are better suited to our needs.

“The U.S. Cellular Coliseum has been a tremendous partner in hosting the Festival of Trees for the last three years and we are thankful for their continued commitment to the success of the Festival and The Baby Fold.”

The Festival of Trees is the premier holiday family event in the Bloomington/Normal community and raises not only dollars, but awareness around the needs of the children and families served by the organization. In 2012 more than 8,000 guests visited the Festival which raised $152,000 to support critical programs provided by 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 19^th 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.