MONROE - The popular Festival of Trees fundraising event is back after a one-year hiatus.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning the Festival of Trees event for Dec. 6, executive director Patty James said. It will be the 14th year for the event in Monroe.
Festival of Trees was canceled last year because there wasn't enough time to put together the event, James said. She took over the position in the middle of October, 2007. Organizational work on the event had not been started at that point.
Local non-profits donate decorated Christmas trees for the event. The trees are then auctioned off, with proceeds going to the organization sponsoring the tree. These non-profits also need time to secure donors and designers to put their trees together. James said that was another reason organizers decided there wasn't enough time to pull off an event the size of Festival of Trees last year.
This year, work began in June to make sure the event could be held.
And even though James is stepping down from her Chamber position, the event will be go on. James is continuing with the Chamber part-time until the middle of October, when Pam Christopher, the new executive director, is set to take over. Christopher knows about the event and is prepared to proceed with it, James said.
The event has drawn up to 200 people, James said. In addition to helping local non-profits raise money, the event also allows small business owners who may not be able to sponsor their own holiday party to treat employees to a special evening.
Just three agencies, Green County Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and Green Haven Family Advocates, will be participating. James said having fewer organizations will allow the event to really focus on those non-profits. However, any organization that is interested in participating in next year's Festival of Trees should contact the Chamber office now so they can be included in plans.
Festival of Trees will be held at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe. The social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner prepared by Peppercorn Banquets served at 7 p.m. The live auction will begin following dinner.
The event will also include a silent auction with items donated by local community members and area businesses. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to the contributing non-profit organizations.
The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry is planning the Festival of Trees event for Dec. 6, executive director Patty James said. It will be the 14th year for the event in Monroe.
Festival of Trees was canceled last year because there wasn't enough time to put together the event, James said. She took over the position in the middle of October, 2007. Organizational work on the event had not been started at that point.
Local non-profits donate decorated Christmas trees for the event. The trees are then auctioned off, with proceeds going to the organization sponsoring the tree. These non-profits also need time to secure donors and designers to put their trees together. James said that was another reason organizers decided there wasn't enough time to pull off an event the size of Festival of Trees last year.
This year, work began in June to make sure the event could be held.
And even though James is stepping down from her Chamber position, the event will be go on. James is continuing with the Chamber part-time until the middle of October, when Pam Christopher, the new executive director, is set to take over. Christopher knows about the event and is prepared to proceed with it, James said.
The event has drawn up to 200 people, James said. In addition to helping local non-profits raise money, the event also allows small business owners who may not be able to sponsor their own holiday party to treat employees to a special evening.
Just three agencies, Green County Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and Green Haven Family Advocates, will be participating. James said having fewer organizations will allow the event to really focus on those non-profits. However, any organization that is interested in participating in next year's Festival of Trees should contact the Chamber office now so they can be included in plans.
Festival of Trees will be held at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe. The social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner prepared by Peppercorn Banquets served at 7 p.m. The live auction will begin following dinner.
The event will also include a silent auction with items donated by local community members and area businesses. Proceeds from the silent auction will go to the contributing non-profit organizations.