WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) -- It was a record-setting year for the 22nd annual Aspirus Festival of Trees.
The event put on by the Aspirus Health Foundation raised $222,000 dollars this year through the community raffle and silent auction. That's the largest amount the event has raised in its 22 years.
Executive Director Kalynn Pempek thinks there are a couple reasons for the increase. "I think it's the value that our community places on the hospice program and the end of life care at Aspirus. But I think it's also just a holiday tradition that many people have come to enjoy as a way to remember someone who may have passed in their life. Or to honor someone who is still with us."
The main focus of the event was, of course, the many decorated and themed trees. Pempek describes some of the more popular trees this year.
"There was a tree that was decorated by Lynn Shields from River Valley Bank and it was was in the theme of a little red truck. There was another tree that was decorated, it was called the Back 40, and it was all sorts of outdoor things. From fishing poles to ice skates to just things you would find in the outdoors. And one of the unique things was our friends at the Karma Group did a tree using bicycle rims. And then hung different colored bulbs under each of the bicycle rims. So it was more of an art piece."
With the success of this year's event, the Foundation is already planning the 23rd annual Festival of Trees. Pempek explains why they've begun planning for next year. "To keep things fresh, keep things attractive so that people will want to come out and see it again for the 23rd year. And so that our sponsors and donors and decorators and volunteers found value again in it next year."
The $222,000 raised by the event will go to Aspirus' comprehensive hospice program. Some of the money is also used for room and board for two rooms at the hospice house. You can see photos of this year's event on the Aspirus Health Foundation Facebook page.
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