Raising funds to help local Habitat for Humanity

$30,000 raised at 11th annual Festival of Trees

MOSES LAKE — Barb Black has been going to the Festival of Trees since it began more than a decade ago.

The event has always had strong support and "is the best thing they can do," Black said of raising funds to build homes for families who are unable to purchase affordable housing.

This year Black helped decorate one of 11 decorated Christmas trees, the highest bid on items for the evening. "L'albero di Vino" ("The Tree of Wine") went for $2,300 and the "Silver, Blue and Snowman Too" tree received a $1,200 bid.

Bidders helped fund-raise over $3,000 for the "Santa at Samaritan" Christmas tree which will be donated to Samaritan Hospital for those children hospitalized over the holidays.

A total of $30,000 was raised for the evening.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake president Curtis Robillard said this year's event brought in more people than ever before with 185 dinners served at the Advanced Technologies and Education Center at Big Bend Community College.

There were four more tables than last year, which is an increase of about 30 people, Robillard said. "We gotta be ready if we grow that much again this year."

Habitat for Humanity board member Elroy Teterud agreed the event appeared to bring in more people than before.

"It's kind of maxed-out here tonight," Teterud said.

The fund-raiser is the only one put on by Habitat for Humanity each year and is the main source of funding used to build homes.

A Family Selection Commit-tee made up of volunteers, in conjunction with the Habitat for Humanity board, chooses candidates for the homes based on their ability to afford adequate housing with proper plumbing, wiring and heating. Candidates must also reside in Moses Lake, be able to make payments on the house via a no interest loan, be between 25 to 50 percent of the poverty level and willing to commit at least 450 sweat equity hours to help volunteers complete the project.

On Nov. 19, Habitat for Humanity broke ground on two duplexes scheduled to be built off of Craig Street, which will make a total of seven homes built when they are completed. The Housing Authority of Grant County donated the lot for the duplexes.

Dianne Turner came Saturday to continue a long-standing tradition at her office of coming to the Festival of Trees.

"We definitely had to keep the tradition going," Turner said while eyeing the decorated trees for auction.