36th Annual Providence Festival of Trees Raises $1.6 Million

Nancy Lematta (second from left) enjoys the festival with family and friends.

Portland, OR. The 36th annual Providence Festival of Trees wrapped up after four days of holiday fun and 20,000 visitors enjoying the most impressive and uniquely decorated trees in the festival’s history.

It was also a year of record-breaking fundraising for Providence Children’s Health. Between the tree auction and ticket sales, the festival raised $1,610,000 for newborn services. The money will fund research in delayed umbilical cord clamping – a study being done by Providence researchers to boost infant brain development. Funds will help Providence Beginnings – a program for underserved and at-risk pregnant women. Proceeds will also help clinical teams in rural communities get help with high-risk deliveries through Providence telemedicine.

The People’s Choice Award for the public show was Tree-Ranosaurus Rex
Sponsor: CIDA Inc./ LKA Fundraising & Communications

The designers were Lynne Sheppard, Connie Poppy and Jim Sheppard.

The fundraiser kicked off with a auction on November 29th.

Dave Salesky of KATU broadcasting the weather live from the Festival floor.

Archbishop Sample visits with friends to kick off the Christmas season.

Over 850 people were in attendance.

Patrick Lamb Band performs with Derrick McDuffy and Kingdom Sound.

Guests enjoy a photo op among the beautiful trees.

Tree Name: Twilight at Timberline
Sponsor: The Kendall Family
Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, Martin Stone, Carol Nielsen and Judy Han

Tree Name: Natale Italiano Sportivo
Sponsor: Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo
Designers: Nicole Schatz, Judi Smith, Rawlen Smith and Chuck Stevens

Tree Name: Who? Who’s coming to town?
Sponsor: iHeart Media
Designers: Sandy Miller, Shelly Hamann, Mark Johnson, family and friends

Tree Name: Home Sweet Home
Sponsor: Northwest Society of Interior Designers
Designers: Gayle Standage, Terrance Mason, Susie Buchanan, Judy Cusack, Brittany Kurtz, Kaitlyn Danna, Jared Hermann, and Mark Tracy

From Providence:

Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.