Volunteer opportunities include assisting with the glamorous Tux & Trees Gala
It’s not too early to get involved in Southwest Florida’s fastest-growing holiday tradition. The Festival of Trees committee is hosting a volunteer mixer on Friday, June 4, 2010. Anyone interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or donating to the fourth annual Festival is welcome to attend the mixer, which will be held from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in the Fort Myers River District (2301 First Street).
“I know it seems early to be talking about a Christmas event,” says Kirsten O’Donnell, Festival of Trees committee member. “But we need volunteers for just about every aspect of the Festival, and we have something for everyone. Really, the more, the merrier!”
Guests at the volunteer mixer will meet the Festival of Trees committee and discover the volunteer opportunities available. Light snacks and refreshments will be available.
“It’s great to be able to have our mixer at the Art Center,” says Carolyn Johnson, chair of the Festival of Trees committee. “The Art Center and the River District are both important parts of the Festival. Plus, our volunteers will be able to experience the Art Walk that night, too.”
The Festival of Trees is Southwest Florida’s premier holiday showcase, and the accompanying Tux &Trees Gala is the signature fundraising event of the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation. The Festival opens on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the celebration continues until the Gala on Saturday, December 4. More information about the Festival of Trees is available at http://www.tuxandtrees.com.
Both events are hosted at the historic Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in the Fort Myers River District. In 2009, nearly 4,000 people visited the magical display of trees decked out in holiday finery.
In the events’ first three years, the Festival of Trees and the Tux & Trees Gala have raised more than $160,000 to support Goodwill’s mission of helping people with disabilities and other disadvantages overcome their barriers to employment and independence.
Proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefit the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation, dedicated to providing a lasting impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Supporting the mission of Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (http://www.goodwillswfl.org), the Foundation works to ensure long-term funding is available for Goodwill’s programs and services.
