CHR fundraiser to celebrate season
Two days of holiday festivities will raise funding to support affordable housing on the islands.
Community Housing & Resources (CHR) will present its Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees on Nov. 21-22 at The Community House on Sanibel. The Community Day will feature a display of holiday trees and wreaths, activities, photos with Santa and the Grinch, the BIG ARTS Community Chorus and such, followed by the Benefit with live and silent auctions, a paddle raiser and more.
“This is our big benefit for the year,” Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale said. “The money raised is going to help us manage the affordable housing program for the workforce and seniors.”
COMMUNITY DAY
Taking place on Nov. 21 from noon to 8 p.m., the Community Day will offer a variety of family-friendly activities, plus the winter wonderland of wreaths and trees by artists and supporters.
“We have 20 trees and 18 wreaths that are being decorated by community members, nonprofits and business owners,” she said, adding that all the wreaths and 15 trees are up for grabs in a silent auction.
At 2 p.m., the BIG ARTS chorus will perform. Terri Kuhl will do a reading of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” at 3:30 p.m. From 4 to 6 p.m., attendees can capture the memory with holiday characters.
“Families can come and have their photos taken with Santa and the Grinch. We also have T.C. Bear that will be there,” Decker-McHale said, referring to the Minnesota Twins’ costumed character mascot.
There will be holiday-themed arts and crafts to take part in.
“They can write letters to Santa,” she said. “They can make two different ornaments.”
A toy gift will be given to each child.
“We have toys for every child that will be going to the event. Big toys,” Decker-McHale said, adding that the Sanibel Police Department and Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will be on site to hand out additional toys for attendees.
Jerry’s Foods will supply hot chocolate and cookies.
“We’ll have refreshments,” she said.
In addition to the silent auction, CHR will raffle off a tree currently on display at the Sanibel Public Library called “Where Happiness Lives.” Attendees can purchase tickets for $100 each to win it.
Decker-McHale noted that Bubbly Latitude volunteered its time to decorate the facility.
Admission is a suggested $5 donation for adults, and free for ages 18 and under.
The community is invited to come out.
“Our community has been devastated by multiple storms,” she said. “This is a time for our community to experience something magical, a winter wonderland that’s going to take us all away while we visit with family and friends.”
BENEFIT
Taking place on Nov. 22 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., the Benefit will feature Eric Pfeifer as the emcee, with remarks provided by Sanibel’s first mayor, Porter Goss. Rachel Pierce will serve as the auctioneer.
“We’ll have five trees randomly chosen,” Decker-McHale said of the live auction goodies.
Attendees can bid on the additional 15 trees and wreaths in the silent auction, plus buy raffle tickets.
CHR will hold a Raise Up For Housing.
“The paddle raiser will be for the build of Riverview,” she said of the affordable housing apartment complex that they broke ground on in September, which will provide 15 one-bedroom, one-bath units.
CHR has raised $6.9 million for the project and is in need of $100,000 more to hit its goal.
Catered food will be served up by Artichoke & Company.
“And there will be a full bar,” Decker-McHale said.
Tickets are $175 per person.
The community is encouraged to reserve their spot.
“With the amount of flooding that has happened in the community, we realize that most people lost their decorations for the season,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for individuals to be able to purchase a tree or wreath to decorate their home, while giving back to the community — to a nonprofit that is integral to the economic sustainability of the community.”
For tickets, visit https://sancapchr.org/festival-of-trees/.
“CHR would like to thank the business community and individuals who are helping us to provide affordable housing to the workforce and the seniors,” Decker-McHale said of the fundraiser’s sponsors and supporters.
For more information, visit https://sancapchr.org/ or call 239-472-1189.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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CHR TO HOST DECORATING CONTEST
A new fundraiser, Community Housing & Resources (CHR) will host a Business Holiday Decorating Contest from Nov. 21 through Dec. 9. Voting cards will be available to the public to select their favorite decorated Sanibel and Captiva businesses in categories and collect stamps from each business they visit. They will include Best Overall Display, Best at Night (Use of Lights), Most Creative, Best Island-Focused Theme, Best Storybook Theme, and Funniest. Once residents and visitors earn six stamps, they can turn in their card for a chance to win a holiday gift basket. The cards will be available from CHR and participating businesses. The voting deadline is Dec. 8, with all cards due to CHR.
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IF YOU GO
What
Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees Community Day
When
Nov. 21 from noon to 8 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Suggested $5 donation for adults, and free for ages 18 and under
IF YOU GO
What
Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees Benefit
When
Nov. 22 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $175
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email