By Kathryn Beedle, Festival of Trees co-chair
Festival of Trees is a new holiday tradition involving the collaboration of local community service organizations, community groups, corporations, The Rotary Club of Oak Park – River Forest, and three key sponsors: Holley Court Terrace, Community Bank of Oak Park – River Forest, and Forest Park National Bank and Trust. Starting Friday, November 29th, this family friendly event will be held at Holley Court Terrace in downtown Oak Park featuring beautifully trimmed holiday trees, festive wreaths and table-scapes including holiday music and refreshments.
The planning and execution of this fundraising event truly is a special collaborative effort as community groups and non-profit organizations decorate the holiday trees which will be auctioned off as well as sharing in the fundraising efforts. In addition, Triton College is providing student volunteers to help the event run smoothly.
According to co-chair Lesley Gottlinger, “We are bringing together as many groups as possible who are willing to participate and share in the benefits of the fundraising to make this a true community celebration.”
Take this opportunity to avoid Black Friday holiday shopping and instead kickoff the season by supporting the local and international service projects of the Rotary Club of Oak Park – River Forest. Every dollar raised benefits these projects as well as these participating community groups and non-profits: Ernest Hemingway Foundation, Grace Episcopal Church, Hephzibah, Historical Society of Oak Park & River Forest, Institute for Science Education & Technology, PING!, Oak Park and River Forest Townships, Lions Club of Oak Park – River Forest, Opportunity Knocks, Oak Park – River Forest Chamber of Commerce, Sarah’s Inn, Oak Park – River Forest Community Foundation, Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Oak Park Regional Housing Center, St. Luke’s School, Senior Citizen’s Center of Oak Park – River Forest, Triton College, and West Suburban Montessori School.
Event dates:
Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th (9 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Sunday, December 1st (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Location:
Holley Court Terrace
1111 Ontario Street
Oak Park, IL 60302
Tickets:
Adults $5
Children and Seniors $3
Families of 5 or more $15
Purchase tickets at the door. For more information: www.oprfrotary.clubexpress.com or contact Kathryn Beedle 708-383-1111 or Lesley Gottlinger 708-366-2821 or 708-751-2821
