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Festival of Trees Preview
11/28/09 - 06:21 PM
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The Rescue Mission is gearing up for one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.  The annual Festival of Trees will be held this coming week at the Panama City Marina Civic Center and businesses are putting final touches on the trees they will display this year.

The rescue mission’s goal today at the preview is to promote the festival for the week.  Businesses participating say that during this Christmas season the goal of the festival is to help those who can’t help themselves.

Christmastime means decorating Christmas trees.  But these Christmas trees on display at Pier Park are for a special purpose, says Rev. Billy Fox with the Rescue Mission:  “All these trees are decorated by businesses and individuals. They donate them to us and we auction them off to benefit our Bethel Village…our women and children’s facility.”

The Bethel Village helps women and children. Last year the Festival of Trees raised over $50,000 for the Bethel Village. This year the Rescue Mission hopes to get at least $70,000 for the project.
Rev. Fox says “…there’s a lot of expenses…counseling expenses, training, just feeding, clothing and sheltering women and children.”

Local businesses have participated in the fundraiser for years. This year’s trees promise creative themes.  All the trees you see out at Pier Park today, like this flamingo tree behind me are just mini previews of what you’ll see at the Marina Civic Center this week.

Coco Caver, participating with Superior Elevator says “My tree is a tree of hope, because there are so many women who don’t have any. So it’s nice to know that the people in the community care about the women out there.

Ken Wable of My Best Friend’s Kitchen in Lynn Haven says “We just want to give to the community, be a part of the community and have a good time doing it.”

All businesses agree that they help out to benefit the women and children of Bethel Village.

Next week you can see the Christmas trees on display at the Marina Civic Center. Judges will award first, second and third places.  All 70 trees will be auctioned off next Friday, December 4.