Festival of Trees Raises Record $200,000 for Heart Health & CPR for Kids Program
2/10/06
TRACY, CA - Thousands of Tracy school children will learn how to save lives and protect their own health this year thanks to the Tracy Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees. The event raised a record $200,000 last November for the CPR for Kids program, which is fully funded by the annual Festival of Trees.
The Festival's Black-Tie Soiree live auction alone brought in $80,000. More than 20 elegantly decorated Christmas trees were auctioned off during the Soiree, with the highest bid going for $8,000. The ever popular Teddy Bear Teas were attended by more than 1,200 people and raised nearly $20,000. Other successful events and venues included a Saturday Night Dance Party, Gift Boutique, Holiday Cafe and "Secret Santa Shop" for children only. Festival sponsors included Tracy businesses and residents, many who attend the event year after year.
"The Festival was a big success. We had a record crowd over the weekend, and all of our special events sold out weeks in advance," said Festival Chairperson and Foundation Board Member Victoria Caldeira. "I want to thank our event sponsors and the festival chairs who did a magnificent job, as well as the hundreds of volunteers who put in countless hours to bring this winter wonderland to life. We couldn't have done it without you."
More than 55,000 Tracy third, sixth and tenth graders and community members have learned CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and basic first-aid skills through this one-of-a-kind program. To reflect a new emphasis on healthy living and disease prevention, the program has been renamed to "Healthy Hearts."
"We've revamped the program to include an element on healthy eating and exercise to go along with the CPR component," said Caldeira. "America's children, including those in Tracy, are experiencing an epidemic of diabetes, heart problems and obesity at a very early age. Healthy Hearts will attempt to address these problems by teaching children how to develop healthy lifestyle behaviors they can use now and in the future."
The Tracy Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the health and well-being of Tracy area residents. Since its establishment in 1993, the Foundation's philanthropic efforts and fundraising events have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the advancement of charitable, scientific, and educational activities within the Tracy community. To make a tax-deductible contribution, please visit www.suttertracy.org or call (209) 832-6052.