The Festival of Trees
- Steve Russo
- Nov 15, 2014
- 3 min read
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! By Robert Lavala. Photo by Marcia Morman
Speaking recently with Marcia Morman, one of the organizers of the Fry Healthcare Foundation and the Festival of Trees, she explained that the upcoming event in Bonners Ferry is the “Event of the Year!” She was notably excited about what has become an annual tradition put on by the Foundation for the past 18 years.
The Foundation is named after Dr. E.E. Fry who first practiced medicine in Bonners Ferry in 1902 and then opened the first hospital in 1907. The hospital was eventually relocated to the site of the current Restorium until the county established the hospital's present location. The Fry Healthcare Foundation’s mission statement is, “...to serve as a non-profit agency dedicated to collecting and dispersing funds, goods, and services to meet the ongoing needs of Boundary Community Hospital.”
Each year there are various events geared towards fulfilling this mission and Friday, December 12 and Saturday the 13th will be the Festival of Trees. On the 12th will be “Family Day” starting at 4pm and going until 7pm. This year Santa has scheduled a stop to take his picture with all the kids at the event and listen to what they might want for Christmas. Katie Blumenauer will provide free photos with Santa starting at 4pm. Also on Friday there will be entertainment and refreshments while you have an opportunity to view the festively decorated trees and goodies that will be auctioned off on Saturday. The cost of admission on Friday is only $5 or you can donate canned goods that will go to the local Ministerial Association's food basket drive. Early on Friday local seniors from the Restorium and around Boundary County will have the opportunity to come in and see all the beautiful creations before the crowds come later.
On Saturday the Gala Dinner and auctions will take place beginning at 5pm. Admission is $35 and gets you a seat at dinner and your chance to win various prizes. The silent auction starts right away at 5pm and the live auction begins at 7pm. Dinner will be served beginning at 6pm and is catered by the Kootenai River Inn. There will also be a 50/50 drawing for a $10 donation and other games and prizes. Some of the great prizes that are both for the silent and live auction includes (but are not limited to) airline tickets, tickets to sporting events, ski lift packages, photography packages, hotel stays, lots of goodie baskets and much more!
This year the main cause for the Foundation is buying a new 15-passenger van with wheelchair access for the hospital. The old van is over 15 years old and is in need of replacement. Many times patients who need rehabilitative care also need a ride to their appointment at the hospital. This new van will ensure that our community has a means to help those who otherwise would not have transportation.
The Foundation is on track with this goal and donations are now being collected. Call Linda Hiatt, Fry Healthcare Foundation president at 208.267.4017, Teresa Rae, Festival of Trees Chair 208.946.6582, or Marcia Morman, at Boundary Community Hospital, 208.267.6912, with donations.
Tickets are available at Riverside Auto, Boundary Community Hospital in the patient financial services office, online at fryhealthcarefoundation.org, or by calling 208.267.6922. Be sure to mark your calendar and come out for this worthwhile event.
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