Take home the whole shebang at Boys & Girls Club Light Up the Season tree raffle
October 30, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
You’ll be able to get the coming holidays off to an early start with the 2nd Annual Light Up the Season luncheon and raffle where almost two dozen decorated-and we do mean decorated-Christmas trees will be the focus of the celebration benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley.
The luncheon will be held November 9 at 11 a.m. at the B&GCSCV Clubhouse located at 1400 E. Harvard Blvd.
Tickets are only $25 to help spread holiday cheer at the “Positive Place for Kids” where the backdrop of twinkling lights adorning 4-foot-tall trees holding unbelievable goodies is where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch catered by Enzo’s at The Glen Tavern Inn.
Donna Nelson and the Isbell Condor Chorus will serenade guests, lively entertainment will be provided by James Lantiegne from The House of Magic and there will be fabulous door prizes.
One-dollar ($1) raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win exquisitely decorated Christmas trees that Club Executive Director Jan Marholin promises will provide plenty of goodies to each lucky winner.
“We have a Money Tree and an Old-fashioned Christmas, Let it Snow, Let it Snow and Diamonds and Pearls, Holiday Cheer, Walking in a Sparky Wonderland, a Disney Wish Upon a Star tree, Christmas in the Classroom, Stepin’ Out in Santa Paula, Welcome to the Wonderland, Let it Glow-Let it Glow, ‘Gnome’ for the Holidays and Hark the Angels Sing! And of course we have other trees,” more than 20 in all.
Last year club supporter Becci Orlando approached the club about the unique event that relies on tree sponsors to “adopt” the symbol of Christmas and dress each to a theme.
The results, said Marholin and those who attended the 2012 premiere event, were spectacular with trees that dazzled with beauty, whimsy and plenty of bling, each playing off a theme for the decorations and the gifts under the branches.
Marholin said the success of last year is being repeated: “Tickets are moving well, people are really excited about it. All the trees have been adopted for dressing,” including those supporters who donate the funds to dress the tree to reflect the theme they specify or leave up to the club to choose.
“The tree themed Wish Upon a Star has really cool Disney related items, Steppin’ Out in Santa Paula is sponsored by our wonderful CP Aviation, we’ll have a Mary Kay cosmetics and accessories tree and a tree by George Thompson Jewelers that is gorgeous!
“No matter the theme each tree is unique, valuable and bursting with wonderful things.... “
And the unique: last year Marholin said she had two personal favorites among the trees, a BBQ tree that included catered rib eye steak dinner served with delicious sauces in your own backyard and a Harley Davidson tree, “That included a metal wall sculpture, motorcycle throw as a tree skirt, wonderful ornaments, dozens of gift items and even Black Hills gold jewelry for the biker lady!”
Another that “Really caught the eye was the tree dressed with miniature bottles of liquor, with lots of fine booze and bar accessories underneath.... talk about innovative and hilarious!”
Guests who win the tree(s) of their choice take home the whole shebang, from the gifts under the tree and its decorations to the artificial tree itself.
Marholin said although the event is relatively new it’s already a favorite: “People really like the event for three different reasons.... it’s a really festive way of kicking off the holiday season, it’s happy-it may be fundraising but it’s a lot of fun-and different, and it’s multi-generational. We have mothers there with their daughters and granddaughters and that says it all, it’s one event we sponsor that caters to all age levels where everybody has a great time. And the beauty of this kind of event is that everyone’s creativity comes out.... last year there wasn’t one tree that wasn’t spectacular!”
Most importantly said Marholin, “And at the same time we’re doing this we’re helping the club kids!”
Club directors and staff are “So excited at having this event at the clubhouse,” that several weeks ago when Marholin was attending a conference, “Staff went out, got paint and painted the gym, did all the work themselves when I was away, all on their own.
“They’re so excited about the event and they’re proud; they want to show the community we may not have a lot of money or the best facility but they have pride in the club and what it has done for kids.”
And Marholin said Club Kids themselves were “So excited because they knew how beautiful it looks, they have a buy in.... and they’re proud!”
For reservations or inquiries, call (805) 525-7910 or email Pearl Galvan at info@bgcscv.org
Tickets-only $25 each-can be purchased at the Club (1400 E. Harvard Blvd.). Calling or emailing the Club can reserve tables for 10.
