The Port Huron, Michigan campus of Ross Medical Education Center kicked off this year’s holiday season by proudly designing a Christmas tree for McLaren Port Huron’s annual event, The Festival of Trees. This year marked the 28th year for this local time honored tradition, which was held for the first time at the newly opened Blue Water Convention Center. Festival goers could attend the Preview Gala Party, Breakfast with Santa, a Family Pajama Party, or just walk through and enjoy over fifty uniquely themed Christmas trees on display. There was plenty to keep the kids busy at the Elfville Children’s Center including crafts, games, holiday stories, cookie decorating, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Festival of Trees is the largest fundraiser of the year for the McLaren Port Huron Foundation. This year the proceeds of the event will support the Foundation’s “Rising to New Heights” campaign. This special campaign is helping to fund the addition of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute to the hospital, the construction of a new patient tower, as well as provide for extensive renovations to the hospital campus.
Ross Port Huron Medical Assistant program Instructor, Kristen Junga, got the Port Huron campus involved in this event that is near and dear to her heart, “my aunt has worked for the Foundation for many years, and is passionate about the benefits that the hospital brings to our community. It is such a privilege to be involved in this fundraising effort.” Shannon Cobb, Career Services Student Services Representative, joined Kristen in spearheading the tree decorating by picking up the tree, planning the theme, and meticulously arranging the beautiful decorations.
Because the trees must be moved to the Convention Center and then moved again to the home of the lucky raffle winner, all of the ornaments had to be hot glued together and wired securely to the branches, which proved to be a lot of work. Kristen and Shannon planned a festive “Berries and Burlap” theme, taking a rustic, yet traditional approach, and the results were stunning. The Ross Medical Education Center of Port Huron tree was a crowd favorite, even receiving the prestigious “Merry and Bright” award.
This family friendly event is steeped in local tradition and benefits everyone in the community by helping to fund the growth and expansion of healthcare in the Blue Water area. Many who donate a tree begin planning their design very early in the year, and the staff, faculty, and students at Ross Port Huron are already looking forward to Festival of Trees 2017.
For more information or if you would like to be involved, you can visit the McLaren Foundation’s website at: www.mclaren.org/porthuron/foundation.aspx.