Festival of Trees to raise funds for van
<p>Marcia Morman, who sold the winning golf ball, left, with winner of the Great Golf Ball Drop and the smart TV, Sherry Whitson, center,and Boundary Community Hospital RN Gina Gallette, right.</p>
BONNERS FERRY — For the 18th year, Boundary County residents will be celebrating the Christmas season with a gift to the community by supporting the Festival of Trees.
This year, funds raised at the Festival of Trees go toward the purchase of a 15-passenger van for Boundary Community Hospital.
Many local people have major surgery at hospitals outside Boundary County then come back home to Boundary Community Hospital for recuperation, and often, physical therapy. In many cases the hospital van is their only means of transport. The hospital van is also used on a regular basis for bringing residents from the Extended Care Facility to medical appointments and social events.
The current van, purchased by Fry Healthcare Foundation almost 16 years ago, needs replaced. This is a major purchase. Last year, the Board of Directors of Fry Healthcare Foundation made a decision to designate funds from their largest annual fundraiser, the Festival of Trees, to replace the van.
Additionally, the funds from the 2014 annual Golf Tournament held last June are helping with the anticipated purchase. The Fry Healthcare Foundation is on track to complete the van project at this year’s Festival of Trees.
Almost $7,500 was cleared at the Golf Tournament held at Mirror Lake Golf Course. In addition to Golf Tournament sponsorships, the community raised money by purchasing entries in the Great Golf Ball Drop.
Life Flight Network Helicopter donated a large screen SMART TV to be given to the participant of the Great Golf Ball Drop whose golf ball rolled the closest to hole No. 9.
When the pre-numbered golf balls tumbled to the ground and inched their way towards the magic No. 9 golf hole, the crowd, who had just finished a delicious steak dinner, was standing on the deck of the golf course club house in fervent anticipation of winning.
The ecstatic winner was Sherry Whitson, who had purchased her ticket while on duty at Kootenai River Brewing Company and Restaurant.
Travis Hinthorn and Ed Moe ended the 18-hole tour of the golf course as the tournament champions.
Now the 2014 Festival of Trees committee volunteers are working toward completing the fund for the van.
The Festival of Trees is open to the entire community.
Family Night is Friday, Dec. 12. All the trees will be lit, musicians performing, and Santa will be there for photos with all good boys and girls.
Gala Night, the following night, Saturday, Dec. 13 is for adults.
Tickets to this fun evening which includes dinner and a silent and live auction are $35.
People leave Gala Night with valued treasures including airplane tickets, tickets to regional and national ball games, camping gear, decorated trees and more. Corporations, businesses of all sizes, and individuals sponsor the event by giving monetary gifts ranging from $100 to $1,500.
Other friends give items for the auction. Donations are now being collected. Call Linda Hiatt, FHF president (208) 267-4017, Teresa Rae, Festival of Trees Chair (208) 946-6582 or Marcia Morman, at Boundary Community Hospital (208) 267-6912 with donations.
Tickets are available at Riverside Auto, Boundary Community Hospital in the patient financial services office, online at fryhealthcarefoundation.org, or by calling (208) 267-6922.