News

Oct. 22, 2009

Festival of Trees gala will blend Broadway, Hollywood and Christmas cheer

Proceeds to benefit Kootenai Cancer Centers

The creative team that stages spectacular performances at Silverwood Theme Park is bringing its signature brand of ambiance and non-stop entertainment to the 2009 Festival of Trees benefit gala -- "A Cool Yule" -- to be held Nov. 28 at the Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Proceeds from this year's Festival will support expanded cancer care services at Kootenai Cancer Centers, located in Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint and Post Falls.

Gala co-chairs Jeanne Norton and Chrissy Wortman are lining up such talent as comedians, a zoot suit -stylin' 40's-era band and professional dancers decked out in either white tails and top hats or red, fur-trimmed Santa dresses.

"We're full of surprises," smiled Jeanne, who along with her husband Gary owns and operates Silverwood Theme Park, this year's Festival of Trees gala sponsor.

For years, she and Chrissy, who designs everything from Silverwood's landscaping plans to costumes, honed their creative and logistical skills organizing the Festival's legendary fashion extravagances, which featured up to 125 models sporting apparel from scores of area clothiers.

"We want to do what we can for our community," Jeanne says. "Different people can do different things. Through Silverwood we have a large, talented staff that helps us pull off these sorts of big, fun productions."

Choreographers, prop builders, stage hands, delivery drivers, videographers and presumably somebody responsible for a timed confetti drop, are already working behind the scenes on the charity ball. And Chrissy is designing floral centerpieces that will grace every gala table.

Gala organizers aim for loftier heights every year, Chrissy says. "People are excited about it. The gala is the biggest thing in Coeur d'Alene. There's really nothing like it."

This year, in addition to the bevy of performers, Jeanne and Chrissy have arranged for gala-goers to purchase special keys, only one of which will open a treasure chest brimming with $10,000 in prizes including spa and salon visits, jewelry, home furnishings, Gonzaga basketball tickets, Coeur d'Alene Resort dining and more.

Professionally-decorated Christmas trees, an original Stephen Shortridge oil painting and an array of gifts and services will take center stage in the evening's auction, they say.

At the center of the frivolity are thousands of individuals united by a single altruistic goal - easing the struggles of those battling cancer.

"Everyone has somehow been touched by cancer," Jeanne says. "It's heart wrenching for patients and their families. Our reward is helping to ensure the very best physicians, the latest cancer medicines and leading-edge treatments are available to people here in our community."

Festival of Trees gala tables, tickets and tree sponsorships are available through the Kootenai Health Foundation at (208) 666-TREE (8733).  Learn more online at http://www.thefestivaloftrees.com/.   

The full schedule is available at:  

http://www.kootenaihealth.org/index.asp?w=pages&r=273&pid=336

For information on this release, contact:
Paula Davenport at 208-666-2355 or pdavenport@kmc.org

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