HOULTON, Maine – This year’s Houlton Health Services Foundation Festival of Trees surpassed organizers’ predictions with a 20 percent increase in dollars raised for County health care services and equipment.
The week before the annual fundraising event, Houlton Health Services Foundation Executive Director Lori Weston, who organizes the festival, said that they were hoping to raise more than last year’s $95,000, a big increase over 2022, at $71,000 and $24,000 in 2021.
“While we always hope to do well, we never dreamed we would raise over $113,500 this year,” she said. “The amount we raised was simply astounding. And will truly impact the health care needs of those in our communities in such a positive way.”
The funds raised will be used to purchase new medical equipment not only for the local hospital but for local nonprofit clinics, municipalities, first responders and safety equipment for area sports teams.
The over-the-top donated holiday trees, brimming with gifts, again drew visitors from all over the state and Canada from Nov. 15-24. And for just a $1 ticket, hopefuls had a chance of winning one of the 66 trees in the annual fundraising raffle.
The number of tree donations also increased over last year’s 50 with newcomers to the event donating from around the County.
Bad weather on Friday night did not stop visitors from coming, especially since that was Santa’s only night at the event.
“The number of people attending was beyond our expectations,” Weston said, adding that when it rains at the Big Red Barn on Foxcroft Road where the event was held, the parking field gets muddy and they have to shuttle people to the festival.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians assisted by offering parking for guests and the shuttle buses at their gym located close to the barn.
Each donor plans their gifted tree, with some weighed down by handmade hats, gloves and scarves, others with hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards or cooking equipment or camping gear. Some of this year’s highlights included a handmade cedar bench and arbor with a Christmas tree on each side, a palm tree Christmas tree and a tree made of fishing poles.
“Just when you think it isn’t possible that people could be more creative, more imaginative or more generous, the goodness overflows,” Weston said.
Houlton High School volunteers helped with parking, traffic control and the sports teams offered coffee and hot chocolate for guests.
“This event showcases our community businesses, organizations and individuals who bring the true meaning of Christmas alone,” Weston said.
