Nonprofit children’s dental clinic to hold 5th annual Festival of Trees fundraiser

6 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The St. Apollonia Dental Clinic will once again host its annual Festival of Trees not only as a festive way to kick off the holiday season but also to help the nonprofit clinic continue to provide free dental care for children in need.

The Festival of Trees began in 2014 as a fundraiser that aimed to help the clinic close the gap between what MaineCare, the state’s version of Medicaid, does not cover for children’s dental services. According to Sherry Chamberland, treasurer of the clinic’s board and manager of NorStar Title Company, 90 percent of the children that St. Apollonia serves are either on MaineCare or without insurance.

During the first three-day Festival of Trees, the event raised just under $10,000 and featured 24 specialty themed trees from businesses, organizations and individuals. The festival has grown steadily over the years to include even more trees. Last year the event raised over $70,000 for the clinic and included 58 trees that folks could potentially win by purchasing raffle tickets.

This year’s festival will feature over 60 trees that will be set up in the Northern Maine Community College gymnasium during the first weekend in December. Each business decorates the tree and includes gifts with a chosen theme. Past themes have included winter in Aroostook County, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” as well as non-holiday themes, including a pink “Minnie Mouse” tree and a tree fully stocked with fitness and wellness equipment.

“We were looking for a way to raise funds in a way that would also give something back to the community,” Chamberland said. “It’s very different than other events that are held during the holiday season and people have enjoyed taking their children and grandchildren to look at the trees and purchase tickets.”

The Festival of Trees will kick off from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, and will continue from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2. Staff members from St. Apollonia will be selling raffle tickets throughout the three days in groups of 10 for $5. They will begin drawing the names of raffle winners at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 and then notify winners shortly afterward so that they can collect their trees.

Organizers are adding a few new twists to this year’s festival. They will broadcast the announcement of raffle winners live on the clinic’s Facebook page and also create a Snapchat geofilter for people to post photos throughout the three days.

As in previous years, people attending the festival can purchase refreshments from the Gingerbread Cafe, an area the organizers set up in the gym. Folk also can buy chances on a 50/50 raffle, the winner of which will receive half whatever funds the clinic raises in ticket sales.

Dr. Norma Desjardin, founder and CEO of St. Apollonia Dental Clinic, said that a total of at least 177 people have gone home with trees during the previous four years of the festival. She noted that the fundraiser could never have been possible without the sponsors who decorated and donated trees to the cause.

“I always look forward to that first night when folks are setting up their trees because that’s when we can see the hard work and creativity they’ve put into their ideas,” Desjardin said.

In addition to becoming a holiday event favorite for the community, Chamberland and Desjardin hope that people also see the value of coming out to support a cause that helps children receive crucial dental services.

“As festive and fun as the event is we always want to remind people that the real purpose is to raise funds for the children that the clinic serves,” Chamberland said.

Festival organizers are still seeking businesses, organizations and individuals who are interested in sponsoring trees. Those who would like to become sponsors can contact Chamberland at (207) 764-2840 or sherry@norstartitle.com and must register before Monday, Nov. 26.