One of the most celebrated annual events is coming to Central Oregon next month. The Festival of Trees, now celebrating its 41st anniversary, has become a long-standing tradition for many—one that commences the start of the holiday season. Yet the event’s purpose keeps tree decorators, sponsors, volunteers, and loyal attendees coming back year after year.
The Festival of Trees is a special event in Central Oregon. Thirty or so trees are adorned with shimmering lights and one-of-a-kind decorations, and each tree package is sold to the highest bidder. The proceeds from the live tree auction 100% benefit Hospice of Redmond’s mission to deliver various hospice and bereavement services to Central Oregonians in need. And it is that mission that tugs at the hearts of many—a mission to give unconditionally to anyone who needs the services they can provide.
Melanie Kowalewski, Festival of Trees Decorator
Melanie Kowalewski has been a tree decorator and loyal Festival of Trees attendee for nine years. A self-professed holiday decorating junkie, she first heard of the event at a Redmond Chamber Coffee Clatter and knew she wanted to get involved. Little did she know that being a part of the event would have such profound meaning in her life.
“My mom and I decorated our very first tree using a variety of handmade, hand-me-down, and thrifted decorations,” said Melanie. “On tree decorating day, I spent some time with a wonderful human named Spencer, who worked at Opportunity Foundation, where I purchased some of the items to be used on my tree. That evening, I learned that Spencer had been killed by a car just hours after we last spoke. My mom and I dedicated our tree to Spencer.”
The following year, Melanie’s parents were killed by a drunk driver. She and her daughter decorated their tree in memorial to them. Melanie continues the tradition of decorating and donating a tree every year because it means so much to her.
“Mom is super close to me when I do these, so it has become a passion of mine,” said Melanie.
As most can attest, the loss of not just one but both parents can be devastating. Knowing how critical it was to be together as a family, Melanie’s brother, Matt, and his partner, Bill, moved from Texas to Redmond in 2018.
Matt Kowalewski, Festival of Trees Decorator
Matt Kowalewski has been a professional holiday decorator for years. Before his move, his eye for detail and decorating skills had him transforming some of the most wealthy Dallas homes into a holiday wonderland. Now, Central Oregonians and other Festival attendees try to outbid each other to get one of his coveted Festival of Trees trees.
For years, Matt and his partner Bill donated and decorated trees worthy of a magazine cover. That is, until last year, when Bill, who had been on hospice for five years, took a turn for the worse, leaving a vacant spot at Festival of Trees. But that didn’t stop people from bidding for the tree that wasn’t there. Filling the Fund-a-need category, bidders raised $21,200 in the space where Matt’s tree would have been. This year, Matt intends to decorate a tree (maybe even two) like no other to replace his not having one last year. Are you as intrigued as we are about what his tree will look like? Come to the event to find out!
Ron McCue, Hospice of Redmond Veteran and Festival of Trees Volunteer
Ron McCue, a former United States Marine Corps corporal and member of the Redmond chapter of the Band of Brothers, likes to keep busy in his retirement. When he isn’t helping save lives as a manager with the Crook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, he volunteers at Hospice of Redmond. One of the many veteran services offered at Hospice of Redmond is made possible thanks to people like Ron, who visit with terminally ill veterans and provide much-needed companionship.
“A veteran will always talk to a veteran,” said Ron. “Among veterans, there is a connection or brotherhood regardless of the military branch we served in.”
Ron says that volunteering benefits him as much as it benefits the person he spends time with.
“I love the stories,” said Ron. “They fascinate me.”
He shares the story of a patient who was a Marine Corps veteran like himself. Men—and especially Marines—are tough, but the first time Ron visited this gentleman, Ron saw a tear roll out of his eye, which solidified his desire to volunteer in this capacity. He shares that so many of our veterans are lonely and are in a different place because of what they experienced in the military.
“They deserve someone to take the time for them, so if yakking with a person for thirty minutes makes their day, it makes mine too,” said Ron. “I just hope that when it comes to be my time I have the same thing happen for me.”
Ron also volunteers during the Festival of Trees. He calls himself the “muscle” and “gopher” and will do virtually anything asked of him during the event. From setting up trees for decorating to preparing them for delivery after they have been auctioned off, wherever Ron is needed, he is ready and willing to help.
This year, Festival of Trees won the honor of being named by Source Weekly as the Best Nonprofit Event, and the team at Hospice of Redmond has been tirelessly working to ensure they exceed the expectations of everyone involved. The one-day event will occur on Saturday, December 7th, at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. This year, they will have a free family fun tree preview with Santa and cookies from 11 am until 2 pm. Then, at 5 pm, guests of the event dress in their finest to celebrate the season amid twinkling lights while enjoying a delicious dinner, live music, a raffle, and games. The highlight of the evening is the live auction, with auctioneer chants that will rival those depicted in the movies.
So, if you are free the first Saturday in December, Hospice of Redmond invites you to an evening you will always remember.
As Melanie so eloquently stated, “Festival of Trees is a celebration for the living, where they can reflect on and honor those who have passed away. It is a really good healing thing and is a great way to spread the love.”
Tickets can be purchased on Hospice of Redmond’s website: https://www.hospiceofredmond.org/. We hope to see you there.
