ABQJOURNAL NEWS/METRO: Annual Festival of Trees benefits Carrie Tingley Hospital

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Annual Festival of Trees benefits Carrie Tingley Hospital

By Chelsea Erven
For the Journal
          Barbie dolls, model cars and miniature wheelchairs joined the usual tinsel and candy canes adorning Christmas trees this week as part of the annual Festival of Trees to benefit Carrie Tingley Hospital.
        More than 150 trees and wreathes will be on display today through next weekend at the Embassy Suites hotel for the annual event, sponsored by the Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation.
        Each tree features a different theme; they range in size from 4 feet to 12 feet high. A few were sold at a silent auction Friday night, but most of them will be for sale to the public for prices ranging from $50 to more than $1,000 starting this morning.
        The festival raised $150,000 last year for the hospital, and chairwoman Rosemary Steichen said she hopes to top that this year.
        The trees were donated by Albuquerque businesses and decorated by more than 100 volunteers. They will be delivered fully decorated to the buyers' homes by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.
        Among the themes are cancer awareness, NASCAR — and one tree devoted to wheelchair sports, designed by Carrie Tingley patients.
        Sande Cremer, a volunteer decorator, has a special place in her heart for the hospital.
        After a car accident in 2003, her son was airlifted to Carrie Tingley and spent more than a year there. He has since recovered and is now a college senior, but Cremer is still thankful to the hospital staff who helped heal her son.
        "When I saw the festival last year, I knew right away I wanted to be a part of it," Cremer said. "I have always wanted to give back to the hospital."
        Cremer decorated two trees and said she met "a ton of friends," other decorators with stories similar to hers.
        The festival will also feature live entertainment from local musicians and choirs, an opportunity to take free pictures with Santa Claus on Nov. 28, courtesy of the Albuquerque Journal, and a weeklong silent auction for $6,000 worth of NASCAR merchandise donated by Galles Chevrolet.
        "This is all about the community, the children and Christmas. We want as many people as possible to come because it's just a great event. Bring the kids, take a picture with Santa, and enjoy the music, all for free," Steichen said.
        Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation Festival of Trees
        WHEN: Today through Nov. 29; Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thanksgiving, 2 to 6 p.m.
        WHERE: Embassy Suites, 1000 Woodward NE, near Downtown Albuquerque
        HOW MUCH: Free
        PHOTO WITH SANTA: Santa Claus will be available Saturday, Nov. 28, for free pictures with kids. The Albuquerque Journal is sponsoring the day.
        INFORMATION: www.abqfestoftrees.org or 505-243-6626

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