The Christmas Tree Fantasy is the Mercy Guild’s largest fundraiser. This year will mark the event’s 22nd year since its conception by a volunteer. Jo Dilley began volunteering at MMCR in 1987 and immediately set to work with her close-knit group of fellow volunteers brainstorming ways to raise funds to purchase items for the hospital that would contribute to the quality of patient care. Dilley continues to donate time to the hospital each and every Monday.
Christmas Tree Fantasy was named for a fundraising effort that was originally started by an organization on the East Coast. The program provided a way for hospitals like MMCR, to have a foundation in place to begin fundraising. The concept included participants donating already decorated Christmas trees for auction. Dilley and her team brought this concept to Mercy. Today, the tradition continues in addition to newer features the volunteers have developed and expanded upon through the years. This year’s theme is ‘Masquerade- Bringing the Music of the Night to Life’ and begins Friday, Nov. 20, at the Holiday Inn in Redding with ‘Reflections of Style’. The event is a fun-filled champagne and high tea fashion show featuring clothes from local boutiques and retail stores modeled by MMCR employees and their families; volunteers and physicians. Three French-inspired courses paired with specialty teas will accompany the silent auction.
Saturday night features the annual gala where attendees will find themselves swept away to re-live the rich opulence from 1870 Paris. The night will include a three-course ‘Paris Dinner’, silent and live auctions as well as champagne tasting.
The weekend of fundraising will conclude on Sunday afternoon with the Teddy Bear Festival. This event is a free holiday event designed for children. The afternoon will include a visit from Santa Claus, face painting, entertainment, story time and refreshments.
While the volunteers will not deny they have fun organizing and participating in these events, “I have gone every year, for 21 years. It is fun,” said Dilley. She also knows that while she is having fun, she is ultimately improving the lives and quality of care for many patients throughout the North State. “I enjoy seeing the final results. What we do for the hospital helps the entire community,” added Dilley.
A few of the items the event has provided funds for include a new and expanded well baby nursery at the hospital, transportation vehicles, lobby piano, fetal monitors, endoscopy equipment and a medication dispenser for nurses assisting patients. The Guild has also donated funds raised during Christmas Tree Fantasy to Golden Umbrella and Shasta Senior Nutrition Programs, which are part of the MMCR family.
Megan Loveless is the Public Relations Coordinator at Mercy Medical Center Redding.
