Twinkling, beribboned evergreens are staples of the Christmas season, but for the Foundation of Dixie Regional Medical Center, Christmas trees signify a lot more than the holiday season.
The Jubilee of Trees, running from Nov. 15-19, raises money for Dixie Regional Medical Center. Shelley Mendenhall, the development officer at the Foundation and the executive director of the Jubilee of Trees, said the annual event raised more than $600,000 in 2011.
“Most of the money is brought in the night of the auction and gala,” Mendenhall said. “That’s where this year we will be auctioning off 15 of the designer trees.”
Mendenhall said the Foundation would also be auctioning items such as vacation packages to Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas.
“Everything that is done or sold at the Jubilee of Trees—everything—goes back to the hospital,” she said.
Mendenhall said this year’s donations would go toward launching a neuroscience division at the Medical Center.
“Brain and spine injuries will be able to be treated here, so we won’t have to fly people out,” she said.
Other money-raising efforts at the event include selling Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts, as well as food and entertainment. The Osmonds 2nd Generation will be performing Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., with tickets at $20.
More than 2,000 volunteers are necessary to run the Jubilee of Trees, said Sheila Pinter, a member of the executive council of directors.
“Everything that pulls the event together is from volunteers,” she said.
Pinter said there are different ways to donate both time and money, through volunteering at booths or donating a tree, as well as using that hard-earned cash to purchase trees or Christmas-themed goodies.
“You can donate time or talent, or you can buy anything,” she said. “Whether you donate your time and effort and money, any of it is helping the cause.”
Mendenhall said she would love to see Dixie State College students volunteer as well.
“We would love for Dixie State to get involved,” she said. “A few years ago, we had several from the different sports teams—the girls’ volleyball team and the football team.”
Mendenhall also encouraged students to make a night of the event.
“It really is a fun date for college students,” she said. “We have food, booths for them to look at, (and) entertainment going on all the time.”
Pinter said contributing to the cause has wider implications for attendees, who may have to use Dixie Regional Medical Center’s services and resources at some time in the future.
“Chances are, if you’re here long enough, something you’re using is helped by the generosity of the community and the Jubilee of Trees,” she said.
For volunteer information, contact the Foundation through jubileeoftrees.org or by calling at 435-251-2480. Tickets for the Jubilee are $3.