The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – The 40th Festival of Trees, Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, benefits the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The colorful, festive event, featuring Christmas trees of all sizes, wreaths, centerpiece and other holiday decorations, kicks off the holiday season in Dearborn with live entertainment, activities for children and visits with Santa.
The Detroit Historical Museum offers a Glancy Train exhibit, while cityscape Lego displays with trains capture the imagination of young and old.
Children’s Hospital of Michigan pet therapy dogs were also on hand to greet guests.
Live musical entertainment included the Dearborn Maple Elementary School Drummers and Chorus, the Dearborn Parks and Recreation Chorus under the direction of G. Kevin Dewey, D.J. April James of April Appelle Productions, the Lincoln Park Dance Company, musician Billy Kamalay, Na Wahine O Ke Avenue Polynesian Dance Group, the Phoenix Theory Band and the Rivers End Brass Band.
Scott Killingbeck, president of the Festival of Trees, said money raised for the Evergreen Endowment Fund helps support critical pediatric research initiatives for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, which impacts the health and wellbeing of children well into the future.
“We are honored to welcome the thousands of guests this week who will visit Festival of Trees, kicking off the holiday season and supporting our efforts to help kids,” he said. “Your compassion and generosity will make a difference in the lives of the innocent and most in need.”
Andrew Stein, president and CEO of the Children’s Foundation, said the Festival of Trees has awarded $11.5 million to support more than 100 research studies in the past four decades that impact every area of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
He said pediatric research is underfunded, and represents less than 11 percent of the National Institute of Health’s annual budget, which makes it difficult for physician scientists to find resources and support to conduct research.
“Because of the Festival of Trees, we can give researchers at Children’s Hospital of Michigan the funding necessary to discover new medical treatments and techniques to prevent, diagnose, and improve care,” Stein said.
Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said Dearborn is thrilled to once again open its doors to the cherished tradition in the community.
“The Festival of Trees brings together people from all walks of life for a common purpose: to celebrate the holiday spirit, to enjoy artistically decorated Christmas trees and to support a vital charitable cause,” he said. “The spirit of giving that the Festival of Trees embodies is a reflection of our shared values, and we are excited to join hands to make this event a tremendous success.”
For more information about the Festival of Trees, go to fot.org.
The Maples Elementary School Drummers and Chorus entertain Nov. 24 during the 40th Festival of Trees in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Above and below, the Detroit Historical Museum displays its Glancy Trains Nov. 24 during the 40th Festival of Trees in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Above and below, festive Lego displays capture the attention of guests Nov. 24 during the 40th Festival of Trees in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Above and below, Santa greets children Nov. 24 during the 40th Festival of Trees in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Therapy dog June, who is part of a pet therapy program at Children’s Hospital of Michigan at the Detroit Medical Center, greets attendees Nov. 24 during the 40th Festival of Trees in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
The 40th Festival of Trees, with beautiful holiday trees, wreaths and decorations, held Nov. 24 to Dec. 1 in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, is a benefit for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.