Blackwell steps down from Festival

Lillie Blackwell is giving up her “full-time job,” but won’t miss the paycheck.

That’s because as director of Fry Healthcare Foundation Festival of Trees for 8 years, it has involved a 12-month volunrary commitment.

“It’s hard for me to make this decision,” said Blackwell, who since 2001 has overseen the festival’s efforts to raise about $320,000 for Boundary Community Hospital. The three-day event includes a Saturday night gala at Boundary County Fairgrounds, where decorated trees have been sold for more than $1,000.

“It’s a job I love,” Blackwell said. “Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. I feel like when it comes to the gala, it’s like I’m entertaining the whole community, like I’m throwing the party.”

The 62-year-old is stepping down because as she gets older, it gets physically tougher to do the job. Also, Blackwell’s husband, Bill, is retired.

“This is not a job you can go home and forget,” she said. “I have an upstairs office and get up at 2 or 3 in the morning. I have a pencil and paper by my bedside.”

Blackwell will be missed.

“She’s guided it very successfully for a number of years,” said Craig Johnson, chief executive and financial officer for the hospital. “She’s done an excellent job.”

The Fry Healthcare Foundation is the fundraising arm for the hospital. The Festival of Trees is its primary event. Money raised by the foundation through the sale of trees, wreathes, stockings and more has helped purchase cardiac monitors, defibrillators, carpeting for the extended care facility and so much more.

“The Fry Foundation is able to bridge the gap on a lot of equipment so we’re able to upgrade,” Johnson said.

A native of El Paso, Texas, Blackwell moved to Bonners Ferry from Vancouver, Wash., 17 years ago. She had attended a festival of trees in Portland and wanted to get involved here.

Blackwell joined the committee 10 years ago and took over as director two years later.

During that time, the festival has grown. Attendance for the gala went from 150 to 175 to more than 200 for the past three years.

While $40,000 has been the average amount raised during the festival, in 2005 it netted $60,000.

The planning involves literally hundreds of people — volunteer committee members, sponsors, designers and helpers.

One of Blackwell’s biggest supporters has been her husband.

“He’s my right hand,” she said. “He’s the one (to remember) when I forget things. He delivers tables. He’s my shopper. He calls all my volunteers. Whoever takes this job will need this support. You can’t do it without family support.”