FORKS — Money did seem to grow on these trees.
The fifth annual Forks Festival of Trees last weekend netted $16,000 for the Soroptimist International of the Olympic Rain Forest, said Mary Jacoby, treasurer of the organization, this week.
The live auction of 21 decorated trees made $9,700 — not including a raffled tree, money from wreaths, the silent auction and bake sale, Jacoby said.
“It went very, very well — but as everyone knows, we can always use more bidders next time,” said Ramona Anderson Oakes, president of the organization.
“We aren’t professional designers, but I think we have some really elegant trees.”
A wreath depicting a herd of reindeer made of woven cedar was purchased for more than $400.
“The wreaths made $2,240,” Jacoby said.
There was a public preview of the 21 decorated trees Saturday.
The awards for the festival were:
• The Best of Show award went to a tree titled “All That Glitters is Gold,” sponsored by the Forks Emblem Club. The tree was designed by Joni Eades.
• The People’s Choice award went to “Merry Christmas Princess,” sponsored by Forks Outfitters and decorated by Christine Treichel.
• Santa’s Choice went to “I’m Dreaming of a Candy Land Christmas,” sponsored by Patti Birch and designed by Punki Goakey, Sharla Fraker and Pam Nelson.
• Most Traditional prize was awarded to “Birds of a Feather,” sponsored by McClanahan Lumber and designed by the Bogachiel Garden Club.
• Most Imaginative went to “Walking in a West End Wonderland,” which featured old photos of Forks.
It was sponsored by Barn, Grafstrom and Grahn and designed by Christi Baron and Leigh Grahn.
• Most Contemporary went to “Merry Fishmas.” It was sponsored by D&H Enterprises and decorated by Heidi Gaydeski.
One raffle tree, “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” was created in memory of Linda Thomas, wife of Bruce Thomas. Linda Thomas died of cancer in the spring. Bruce Thomas sponsored it.
The group had not yet counted how much the raffle made.
Proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefit Soroptimist projects, including educational scholarships, Relay For Life sponsorship, travel expenses for medical care for West End women with cancer and other charitable causes.
For more information, phone Cathy Johnson at 360-374-9382 or e-mail cathyej77@hotmail.com.
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily.com.com.
