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Show Annual Festival of Trees benefits needy children Primary Children's Medical Center's 20th annual Festival of Trees will run Nov. 28 through Dec. 1 in Salt Lake City's Salt Palace Exhibition Halt All proceeds from the event will be used to provide charity care at the medical center for needy children from throughout the Intermountain West. The Festival will feature more than 300 decorated Christmas trees available for purchase. Trees are decorated and donated by individuals, in-dividuals, families, churches, employee and civic groups. "We are always surprised and delighted with the variety and quality quali-ty of the trees donated," said Elda Rae Gunn, festival executive board chairwoman. "The motto for the festival is a gift of love,' and love for children is evident in each finished fin-ished tree." Among the trees being planned this year is one featuring collectible postage stamps, another entitled "Udderly Pink" which features cows, one with a walking-for-fitness theme and one highlighting children's books and the joy of reading. Other trees will include one with a carousel theme, another done by a woodturners group featuring lathe-turned natural wood ornaments, one featuring Western cowboy gear, and one featuring braided wheat stalks for a staff of life theme. One tree will feature the popular Ninja Turtles, and dozens of trees will feature a variety of winter and religious and secular Christmas themes. The Festival of Trees will be produced by a region-wide, 80- member, all-volunteer board, each of whom recruits at least 10 additional addi-tional members. The board and its committees will have donated thousands of hours by the time the festival closes. Hundreds of people from throughout the state of Utah are volunteering their time and materials mate-rials to make items to be sold at the festival. In addition to trees, the festival fes-tival will offer holiday centerpieces, wreaths, a gingerbread village, handmade gifts, and cookies and candies. A Kids' Komer will feature activities ac-tivities especially for children: they can make Christmas presents, have their faces painted or a manicure. For $5, children may choose a small doll and a handmade outfit, and dress and name the doll to send to a Primary Children's patient who is hospitalized for Christmas. "Festival board members work hard to get everything donated," Mrs. Gunn said. "We are grateful to the R. Harold Burton Foundation for underwriting all the costs associated asso-ciated with the festival, including the rental of the Salt Palace. Support Sup-port from the Burton Foundation means that 100 percent of the proceeds pro-ceeds of the festival can go for medical care for children." The public is invited to attend the festival, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 1. Tickets purchased at the door are $3 for adults and $1.75 for children 1 1 and younger. Discount tickets are also available at all Zions Bank branches. |