HANDY’S 2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES
HANDY’S 2ND ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES EVENT TO BENEFIT NINE OTHER LOCAL CHARITIES ON NOVEMBER 25
Decorated Christmas trees and Hanukkah bushes to be auctioned off during this festive reception at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (September 11, 2014) – Tis the season for giving, as HANDY presents its signature Festival of Trees at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, November 25. Guests will marvel at a winter wonderland of bedazzled trees, donated by Hayes Farms, which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. 100% of the proceeds will benefit HANDY and nine other local charitable organizations.
“We are thrilled to once again bring holiday cheer during this magical time of year,” said Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY. “After last year’s incredibly successful event, we looking forward to bringing this great event back and sharing the wealth with other vital not-for-profit organizations.”
Attendees of the holiday-inspired reception, which will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the east wing of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale near Dillard’s, will enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, musical entertainment and the chance to bid on their favorite tree. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.HANDYinc.org or calling (954) 522-2911, ext. 208.
The highlight of this community effort is the enjoyment of seeing beautifully decorated 8 - 9’ trees, which have been sponsored or decorated by area businesses, retailers and community organizations. A panel of esteemed judges, including Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Mark Corbett, associate publisher at Gold Coast Magazine and Kelly Blanco, traffic reporter at WTVJ (NBC6), will select one charity organization’s tree to be awarded a $1,000 donation.
Organizations already signed on to benefit from this seasonal event include Bonnet House Alliance, DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club, Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, Island Paws Rescue, Inc., Voices for Children of Broward benefiting Florida Guardian ad Litem, Jack & Jill Children’s Center, Kids In Distress, Mission United, The Pantry of Broward and last year’s champion Young Professionals of Covenant House.
HANDY’S Festival of Trees at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is sponsored in part by Florida Atlantic University, Gold Coast Fort Lauderdale, GrayRobinson, Havana Coffee and Tea, Hayes’ Farms, Macy’s, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce B.E.S.T. Committee, The Wildgoose Family, McCormick Distilling, Moss Construction and Sin City Cupcakes.
Photo Caption (left to right): Melissa Milroy, senior marking manager for The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, Jeremy Hayes, owner of Hayes Farms Christmas Trees, Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY
Young Professionals of Covenant House won the coveted Judge’s Choice Award during the 2013 HANDY’s Festival of Trees with their unique Frost-Tree the Snowman design
