On the outside of The Bradford Club, Old Man Winter was unleashing several inches of snow. On the inside, the 17th annual Festival of Trees was taking place –– where generous locals were raising money for a special cause.
Despite the bitter weather Thursday evening, the event had a successful turnout donors took part in dining and auctions to raise money for The Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund.
Rhonda Gray, a longtime volunteer and member of the Festival of Trees committee, was glad to see a large turnout considering the inclement weather.
Some of the items at the event, which were auctioned off by Tim Asinger, included custom decorated trees, a limited-edition Case knife and an oak storage chest.
The decorated trees were part of the inaugural Corporate Tree Challenge, in which local businesses were tasked with decorating trees for a friendly competition.
“We have a storage chest which is solid oak. We have some beautiful woodworking pieces from FCI-McKean. Our huge ticket item this year is a fly fishing package. It comes with a fly fishing rod made, a bamboo custom-made rod; a kayak and a gift certificate for fly fishing,” Gray explained.
“Considering the crazy weather, I’m surprised,” Gray sad. “I’m pleased, but surprised.”
Francie Ambuske, organizer of the inaugural Festival of Trees event, said, “It’s been a wonderful way to start the holiday and provide (money) that go to the ELF Fund directly.”
She gave much praise to the generosity of those who supported the event and donated by adding, “We’re a community that takes care of each other, we always have; we’re a good community.”
All in all, despite the relentless weather, the event proved to be a success. Just how successful? The limited-edition Case knife — just one of many items up for grabs — was auctioned off for $500.
The ELF Fund is in its 35th season of providing Christmas gifts to needy children and seniors who reside in the Bradford Area School District.
Red and green tags listing what each recipient wants for Christmas can be found on trees at businesses including the Main Street Mercantile, Northwest and County National banks, Tops Friendly Market, Leo’s Sub Shop, Bradford Travel and The Bradford Era.
Volunteer gift-shoppers who take a tag can bring wrapped gifts to this year’s ELF headquarters, the former Goodwill store at 75 Forman St., Bradford, owned by Varischetti & Sons of Brockway. Gifts will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 27-29 and from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 1.
At noon Dec. 1, ELF volunteers will begin shopping for gifts that were not already bought. Gifts will be distributed Dec. 7.
The ELF season will conclude with the senior holiday party Dec. 9 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
