Festival of trees raises funds, spirits

QUINCY —The second annual Quincy Valley Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees is going to be bigger and better this year.

The event has moved from Quincy High School, where it was held for the first annual event last year, to Cave B Inn at SageCliffe near Vantage.

"Our purpose at last year's event wasn't so much to raise money but to raise awareness," said foundation liaison Jennifer Marquis.

Money raised at the Dec. 2 silent auction will be used to fund hospital equipment. One of the items the hospital needs is a new portable X-ray machine. The foundation hopes to raise $10,000 through the event.

This year six decorated Christmas trees will be auctioned at Cave B, a change from last year when local businesses sponsored the trees and they were auctioned as people visited each business to make their bids.

Other silent auction items include a goose hunting trip for two, an autographed University of Washington Huskies basketball, a limited edition Coca Cola Christmas clock and box seats for the Seattle Mariners vs. the Boston Red Sox.

Hors d' oeuvres, dessert trays and wine will be served.

The silent auction begins at 6 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (509) 787-3531 ext. 357.

In conjunction with the Festival of Trees, a bazaar is also being held on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at QHS. Admission to the bazaar is free. Christmas wreaths will be raffled and baked goods and holiday gift items will be sold.