EDITOR’S NOTE: The top bid has been corrected.
PORT ANGELES — This year’s Festival of Trees is expected to raise $103,000 by the time it ends this afternoon, $89,000 coming from Friday’s gala tree auction at the Vern Burton Community Center.
The top bid of $3,750 purchased “Welcome to Our Cabin,” No. 11, sponsored by Kathleen Graff and designed by Lori Seelye and Janet McGee, according to Bruce Skinner, director of the Olympic Medical Center Foundation that sponsors the three-day event.
The tree, its decorations, stand and lights came with a four-night trip to a Hawaiian island of the bidder’s choice, donated by Art and Erin Green, and $300 worth of lawn mowing and excavation work donated by Robin’s Nest Landscaping owner Jason McGee.
The bidder’s identity was not made public.
People may attend the festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., to view the 58 decorated trees, hear musical entertainment and participate in children’s games sponsored by the Port Angeles Exchange Club.
Today’s event is the second of two Family Days with which the club raises money.
Admission costs $5, with children 8 and younger admitted free.
The auctioned trees will be delivered to the winning bidders after the festival ends.
This year’s net amount likely will fall short of last year’s record-breaking $121,600 and attendance by more than 500 people.
The Olympic Medical Center Foundation, which sponsors the festival, will distribute the money across various departments at OMC, Skinner said Saturday.
The hospital will make its requests at the end of the year, he said, but at least some of the money will go to the obstetrics department.
The Exchange Club, which raised about $10,000 last year, will use its share to support child abuse prevention by Healthy Families of Clallam County.
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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com.
