Boys & Girls Club to ‘Light Up the Season’ with unique holiday tree, gift raffles
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Published: October 19, 2012
Christmas trees as you’ve never seen them will “Light Up the Season” bright and early November 3 with an event that features raffles for fully decorated “fantasy” trees with loads of presents under them, all to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley.
The inaugural “Light Up the Season” will start at 11 a.m. at the historic building at 814 E. Main Street.
Chairwoman Becci Orlando is promising guests will enjoy a celebration like no other. Tickets are only $20 each for this fun event that includes a delicious lunch catered by Glen Tavern Inn’s Enzo’s and door prizes as well as adult beverages available for purchase.
“What makes this so different and wonderful,” she said, “is each tree is decorated differently,” reflecting the sponsor’s business, interests or even whims with related “presents” that complete the picture and the raffle prize-winning package.
Orlando said she never forgot her experience with such a unique fundraiser: “There were 68 trees, all different sizes,” some decorated with fine jewelry, perfumes and other expensive items women love, while other trees were perfect for a Man Cave, a gigantic over-sized flat screened TV at the base of the tree decorated with items geared towards macho males.
Orlando promises at the November 3 event you’ll see trees you’ve never seen anywhere else and have the chance to win your favorite through the raffles. “Our raffle tickets are only $1 each and each of our trees will have a value of at least $250” when all the goodies are factored in.
And these are some goodies: “We have a Harley Davidson tree” that Orlando said would be perfect for lovers of motorcycles, an elegant Peacock Tree that will feature decorative items and a bottle of fine Peacock Family Vineyard wine, an Angel Tree of sweet collectibles, and others that will be decorated to a theme tied in with the included presents.
Oh, and don’t forget the Clippers Tree, decorated with 15 tickets good for a deluxe suite at Staples Center, VIP parking for four vehicles and more. “The Clippers Tree is generously sponsored by Vintage Petroleum of California,” who turned Orlando loose to do the decorating using her own imagination on their donation.
As of now, there are more than 20 trees that will be sporting fabulous decorations and “gifts,” although Orlando said the way the trees will be displayed will also make them easy to take home for use year after year. “We’re getting artificial trees” that stand about four feet tall, which make them easier for display as well as transport.
Orlando said the November 3 “Light Up the Season” is a perfect opportunity for friends to get an early start on gift exchanges while surrounded by the trees and their gifts. “Our guests will enjoy lunch, we’re going to have entertainment and a really fun atmosphere. Where else can you be surrounded by dozens of beautifully decorated trees and the presents they are paired with, buy raffle tickets for only $1 each and win your favorite? Just think,” said Orlando, “by wining a tree or two you can even get your holiday shopping started!”
Most importantly, Orlando said, those attending the celebration of holiday trees and all that is under them benefit “the Positive Place for Kids where we have dozens of activities and programs for youth... the club ensures that kids throughout the Santa Clara River Valley - our kids - have a safe, nurturing place to learn and play. An investment in our kids is an investment in our future.”
For more information on tickets to “Light Up the Season” or Tree Sponsorship opportunities - remember sponsors can simply donate $250 and get all the glory while volunteers do the decorating work - call Pearl Galvan at 525-7910.
|
