Hundreds of visitors strolled through the winter wonderland of elegantly decorated trees, wreaths and décor during the 21st annual Holiday Festival at Sarah Bush Lincoln, adding to this year’s enormous success.
“It was a record breaking year. People were very generous with their donations, as were those who bid on and purchased items,” event coordinator Kim Lockart said. Net proceeds from this year’s event reached $145,000 for the first time.
Funds raised from this year’s Holiday Festival will support “Mobile Miracles,” a capital campaign to support the purchase of a new SBL Dental Bus. The bus will travel to more than 60 locations across seven counties providing preventive and restorative care to underserved children up to age 18.
During the three-day event, the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education was transformed into a magical wonderland of uniquely designed Christmas trees, wreaths, and specialty items. “We had a tremendous turn out this year, especially for Friends Night Out,” Lockart said.
Congratulations to Karen Dyer for winning the raffle and selecting a two-night stay in Chicago as her prize from the 33 live auction items. Ninety $100 raffle tickets were sold, raising an additional $9,000 for this year’s cause.
The Festival also featured a Memory Star Tree in which people purchased an engraved star to honor or memorialize someone special. Purchasers then had the opportunity to either take their star home or have it mailed to them to enjoy in their homes throughout the holidays. Money raised from the Memory Star Tree benefits Lincolnland Hospice.
The Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to this year’s sponsors: Consolidated Communications (Media Sponsor); Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative and Dale and Marilyn Hoots (Title Sponsors); BSA LifeStructures, Jerry & Lana Esker, First Mid, Hastings & Havlik Family Dentistry, Meadowview Golf Course-John & Carol Wade and WCIA (Gala Sponsors); Carriage Crossing, The Cromwell Group, Inc, and Vaughn & Ruth Jaenike Family (Memory Star Tree Title Sponsors); First Federal Savings & Loan, Adams Memorials, Anderson Electric, Doug & Sally Bock, Cedaron Medical, Inc., Charleston Family Dental, Corbin Capital Partners, James & Sandra Ernst, Ron & Kathlene Harshman, Leslie Hill, William Hill, Leon & Karen Huffmaster, J & J Ventures Gaming, LLC, Kone Elevators, Doug & Tracey McCord, Hank & Jill Nilsen, Sonny & Diana Oakley and Tony & Debbie Sparks (Festival Sponsors).
For more information about the Holiday Festival, contact Kim Lockart, event coordinator, at 217-258-2511.