Fundraiser supports mission of United Way of White County
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A variety of wreaths and trees – 7-foot and 4½-foot varieties – featured in the Festival of Trees fundraiser are up for bidding through Friday, Dec. 6.
The annual Festival of Trees has returned, featuring a wonderland of trees and wreaths decorated by local business and organizations.
The popular fundraiser for the United Way of White County kicked off last week at Unicoi State Park & Lodge, with almost 30 trees and several wreaths available for bidding through Dec. 6.
“We’re very excited about the Festival of Trees returning, and we are very appreciative of the excellent participation that we have had this year from the White County business community in sponsoring and decorating trees and wreaths,” says Carl Free, United Way of White County president. “We have some beautiful trees for the community to bid on with all proceeds going to the United Way of White County.”
The event will culminate with a free Festival of Lights reception 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Unicoi Lodge. The evening social will feature appetizers, a cash bar, pictures with Santa, s’mores, a bonfire and entertainment.
“We hope that the Festival of Lights event on Dec. 6 will provide an opportunity for a community celebration of the Christmas season, as well as provide bidders with a final opportunity to make sure they have the high bid on the tree of their choice,” Free says.
The public is invited to view and bid on their favorite trees – in 7-foot and 4½-foot varieties – at Unicoi. On Dec. 6, all winners will be called to pay for and pick up their tree or wreath. The items cannot be shipped.
Award-winners will be name for the top four entries in tree decorating and top three in the wreath category.
“We would especially like to thank every business and organization that sponsored a tree or wreath, the ROTC program at White County Schools for their assistance in event wrap-up, and Unicoi State Park & Lodge for once again hosting the event for the community,” Free says.
Funds raised by United Way of White County are allocated to support agencies that provide a wide range of human services directly to the residents of White County.
Agencies receiving United Way of White County funding in 2019 include: Community Helping Hands Clinic, White County Caring & Sharing, Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council, Caring Hands Ministries, Circle of Hope, Family Promise of White County, White County Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity of White County, Rape Response Inc., Charles Smithgall Humane Society, White County 4-H, White County Food Pantry, South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Enotah CASA Inc. and Sisu of Georgia Inc. Integrated Early Learning.
Along with the Festival of Trees, United Way of White County is also supported by the Darrel Chaney Invitation Charity Golf Tournament in spring. With a theme of “The Power of One,” United Way of White County’s 2020 fundraising campaign has a goal of $85,000.
For more information on the United Way of White County or to find out how you can support the organization, visit www.unitedwaywhitecounty.org.