Festival of Trees surpasses fundraising goal

Posted on December 17, 2014

The Baby Fold on Tuesday held the annual check presentation for the Festival of Trees. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The 2014 Festival of Trees is being called a success.

The event raised $230,537, almost 11-thousand more than 2013's festival. During Tuesday night's check presentation, Baby Fold president Dianne Schultz said she was pleased to hear how much money was raised.

"I know that there are so many worthwhile charities and events this time of year," said Schultz. "It was just thrilling to know that the community support for the festival and the Baby Fold remains very strong."

More than 9,000 guests took part in this year's festival. Schultz explained the money will primarily go towards filling a budget gap left by a lack of state funding.

"The Baby Fold has a gap of anywhere between $800,000 to close to $1 million that we need to cover through our special event fundraising, being the festival, as well as our donations," she said.

The Baby Fold also on Tuesday announced the 2015 Festival of Trees theme: wrapped in joy.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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