The 2007 Festival of Trees was a great success, with the Gala raising $50,000 for digital mammography equipment for St. John's Lutheran Hospital. Photo by Paul Eanes Photography.
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Festival of Trees Gala raises $50,000 for digital mammography
Thank you to a generous community
by Kate Bartz, St. John's Lutheran Hospital
December 13, 2007
Trees, trips, quilts, and a plethora of auction and raffle items were the ticket to fundraising for St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Board.
According to KC Hoyer, Executive Director of the Foundation at St. John’s, The Festival of Trees, which is a two-day community and fundraising event, has reached new heights. “It wasn’t so long ago that we would celebrate raising $10,000 at this event,” she said. “This year we raised $50,000 for digital mammography, mainly due to the hard work and determination of our volunteer Foundation Board members. Not only do they spend countless hours planning and preparing for this event, they also spend a great deal of time educating our communities about philanthropy, and how non-profit organizations benefit from the funds raised.”
The Saturday night fundraising Gala was sold out days before the event. “I really believe that our communities understand the true purpose of the Gala,” commented Hoyer. “While they definitely enjoy getting dressed up and attending this classy event, they also know that the dollars they spend will be going to support quality healthcare services right here at home. That philanthropic attitude was made perfectly clear when the first tree, which was the epitome of a Charlie Brown Tree, sold for $2,800; the bidders just really understand the end result, which is giving from the heart for a worthy cause.”
We are so blessed to live in communities that are so generous, added Hoyer. To raise $50,000 at a single event in a small community like ours is proof that philanthropy is not dead, it is alive and well, and living in South Lincoln County.
The campaign for digital mammography, which started just six months ago with a goal of $250,000, has now reached $200,000. The board is hoping to raise the additional $50,000 by April 2008.
Related Link:
St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, www.sjlh.com
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