Cherished Treasure Valley Tradition Continues, Even During Pandemic
For 37 years the Festival of Trees has kicked off the holiday season in the Treasure Valley. The Saint Alphonsus Foundation is proud to announce that the annual event will continue this year, albeit in a different format. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation will modify the Festival of Trees from an in-person event to an online, virtual experience.
“As a healthcare system, we’re very aware of the need to protect our community from COVID-19. Local guidelines prohibit large gatherings, and we certainly want to make sure we celebrate the holiday season safely,” said Jill Aldape, Vice President of Philanthropy for Saint Alphonsus. “We’re keeping as many of the beloved features of the Festival, including the beautifully decorated trees and wreaths done by businesses, groups, organizations and schools in our area, and of course kids will still be able to visit with Santa, but instead of sitting on his lap, they’ll be able to get personalized video visits.”
The Festival will run for a record 12 days, beginning on Thursday, November 19, and running until November 30.
“The biggest benefit to moving the Festival to an online format is that we can still celebrate the holiday season and share the magic of community, fantasy and celebration – but do so in a way that ensures the safety and protects the health of those we serve,” said Gary Raney, Chair of the Saint Alphonsus Foundation Board.
Proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees will benefit people and programs impacted by COVID-19, including supporting healthcare workers on the front lines, clinical education for colleagues and community, and funding innovations in telehealth for patients, families, and caregivers.
Instead of decorating and displaying the trees in the Boise Centre, the Festival will utilize the old Gordman’s building at The Village in Meridian to allow for the decorating teams to spread out and maintain physical distancing while decorating.
All the trees wreaths and other holiday décor items will be professionally photographed, and those pictures will be posted on the Festival’s website for people to view, bid on and purchase. Trees will be delivered to their new homes on December 1.
Virtual visits from Santa will be available this year. Parents can order a customized and personalized 3-5 minute video from Santa to ensure their children experience the magic of the season.
For more information on the Festival of Trees, including scheduling visits with Santa, visit www.saintalphonsus.org/Festival.