The Mill, Bay Area Rotary Present the 2012 Festival of Trees

Nov. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- North Bend, Ore. – Businesses, organizations and individuals have an opportunity to help families in need while getting into the holiday spirit through the annual Festival of Trees, a holiday-themed fundraiser sponsored by The Mill Casino • Hotel and the Bay Area Rotary.

Raising over $10,000 last year, the Festival of Trees lets participants demonstrate their holiday-decorating talents while raising money for local charities. This year's goal is to raise $14,000 for such charities as Shots for Tots and Teens and The Women’s Safety and Resource Center and Coddington Place.

Participants simply choose to sponsor a tree, a wreath or pre-decorated tree by Nov. 1, or while available trees last. Then, at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26 sponsors bring their chosen decorations to The Mill Casino’s Salmon Room for the annual Festival of Trees Decorating Party, complete with complimentary refreshments and holiday tunes.

Following the decorating party, a panel of judges will award the top choice in the following categories: Most Traditional, Most Elegant, Best Theme, Best Wreath, Judge’s Choice and, of course, Best of Show. The decorated trees and wreaths will be placed on display throughout the hotel lobby through Dec. 6.

On Sunday, Dec. 2, Rotary will sponsor a family viewing day to encourage families to come in and look at the trees from 1-4 p.m. Santa will be on hand and refreshments will be served.

Each tree and wreath will be auctioned off to the highest bidder during a public auction that begins promptly at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 in The Mill's Salmon Room. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. to allow potential bidders to take one more look at the trees.

The fully decorated trees will be delivered (up to 30 miles away) to the winning bidder's home or office by a member of the Bay Area Rotary. Auction winners may request to have their tree donated to a needy family.

The Mill Casino • Hotel contributes to the purchase of the trees and wreaths so that sponsorship and auction proceeds from the Festival of Trees can go directly to local charities. In addition, local vendors are used when purchasing trees and wreaths for this Bay Area fundraiser.

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping those in need are encouraged to participate by sponsoring and/or decorating a tree and/or wreath. To learn more about how to get involved with this event, contact Festival Coordinator, Heidi Proett at 541-269-7929 or 541-297-8287.

About The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park:Among the largest employers in Coos County, The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park maintains an active program of community involvement that includes financial and in-kind support for area non-profit and service organizations. Owned by the Coquille Indian Tribe, The Mill furthers the Tribe’s tradition of sharing through its donations program as well as its financial support of the Coquille Tribal Community Fund. To learn more about The Mill’s philanthropic programs, visit http://www.themillcasino.com.