The community is invited to show their support to Kootenai Medical Center By Jillian Chandler | Photo by Artisan Portrait
Held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Friday, November 25, and Saturday, November 26, the annual Festival of Trees features three exciting events throughout its two days.
This year, the event kicks off with Friday d'Lights, sponsored by Numerica and Kootenai Health Volunteers, 5 to 8pm on Friday. Open to the public, Friday d’Lights invites the community to take in approximately 20 beautiful trees, donated and decorated, along with a display, by local businesses and individuals, each with its own unique theme. Some of this year’s themes include Rocket Ship, Girls’ Trip, and Nordic. Each tree is estimated at a minimum $2,000 value.
Santa will be on-site for the kids, and Evan Denlinger will be performing Christmas music live. There is no fee to view the trees, though donations are encouraged—which can be made at the event or online through the Heart Center Campaign.
Saturday, from 9am to noon, features the Healthcare Heroes event to thank Kootenai Health employees and recognize them for their hard and unwavering work. With more than 3,200 KH employees, organizers will accommodate as many as want to sign up to attend. “We did this last year for the first time, for Kootenai Health employees and their immediate families,” shares Kali Singleton, Development & Event supervisor for Kootenai Health Foundation. “This is a free event for them to enjoy the trees while listening to Christmas music and sipping on hot cocoa from the gourmet hot chocolate bar.” And, of course, Santa will be there too.
Saturday evening, from 5 to 9pm, Kootenai Health hosts the Festival of Trees Gala, a black-tie affair not to miss! With seating for approximately 400 guests, those who purchase a gala ticket ($225 per person) will enjoy cocktails, tree sales and silent auction 5 to 6:30pm, welcome and dinner at 6:30, live auction beginning at 7:30, followed by music and dancing at 8:30, with the evening concluding around midnight. There will be the Champagne Quest, in which guests have the opportunity to purchase a glass of champagne and be entered to win a trip to Belize, sponsored by Mountain Power Construction (just 100 glasses will be sold), and don’t forget to purchase a Raffle Tree ticket for just $5 to be entered to win one of the fabulous trees on display.
“I feel like the Festival of Trees really kicks off the holiday season for so many people,” shares Kali. “A lot of people look to us to care for themselves and their loved ones, and this is a special way to support our local nonprofit hospital. It’s such a wonderful event, and we’re so lucky to be coming back in person.”
Last year’s virtual Festival of Trees raised more than $392,000 for neurosurgery technology. Proceeds from this year’s charitable event will support Kootenai Health’s Heart Center expansion. This $40 million project has been in the works for a decade and should be completed by next fall. “We are trying to meet the needs of the community and provide top-notch care,” says Kali.
Those wanting to make an entire night of the Festival of Trees Gala can book a hotel room at The Coeur d'Alene Resort and receive discounted Festival of Trees room rates. And those in search of just the right look for the gala receive discounted formal wear rentals and purchases at Say Yes and Touchdown Tuxedo.
For additional details for this year’s Festival of Trees, to purchase your gala ticket or make a donation, visit KootenaiHealthFoundation.org/attend-an-event.