Tux and Trees Gala to Benefit More Than Just Goodwill

Nov. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- The Festival of Trees has quickly become a Fort Myers River District tradition, and event organizers are excited about another tradition that has developed.  For four straight years, guests at the Tux & Trees Gala have purchased the elaborately decorated Christmas trees—and then donated them to other agencies and people in need.

The Festival of Trees and Tux & Trees Gala (http://www.tuxandtrees.com) are the signature fundraising events of the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.  In the last three years, the events have raised $150,000 to support Goodwill’s programs and services.

“Of course, we have plenty of people who buy the trees for themselves at the Gala,” explains Goodwill’s Kirsten O’Donnell.  “But there are also many people in our community who will buy a tree at the auction and then generously turn around and donate it.”

Past recipients of tree donations include the CCMI Soup Kitchen, the Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Hospital, LARC, Our Mother’s Home, the North Collier Hospital, TLC Children’s Home, and the VA Fort Myers Clinic.

Trees have also been donated to local families in need.

“It just highlights the giving spirit of our community” says Carolyn Johnson, Goodwill’s Vice President of Communications and Development.  “Times are still tough here in Southwest Florida.  It’s great to see so many people giving back.”

This year’s Tux & Trees Gala will be held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on Saturday, December 4.  The Gala is the culmination of the week-long Festival of Trees, a free event also hosted by Goodwill at the Art Center.

For Festival of Trees information, including dates, times, and tickets to the Tux & Trees Gala, visit http://www.tuxandtrees.com or call (239) 995-2106 ext. 249.

View the Festival of Trees television commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EXrVkxb_5M



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The Festival of Trees and Tux &Trees Gala are held annually in the Fort Myers River District, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. The events are signature fundraisers of the Southwest Florida Goodwill Foundation.