CROW’s ‘Giving Tree Festival’
Submitted by ANITA PINDER
Festivities at CROW’s annual Festival of Giving, held this past Sunday evening, shimmered with the glow from The Sanctuary Clubhouse, dressed up in red, green and gold for the holidays with all of the exquisitely decorated trees and wreaths.
The Giving Tree, providing gifts for CROW’s 40th Anniversary, was immensely successful as there were many requests to bring it back every year. The silent auction of trees and wreaths was as competitive as ever, with the decorators going over the top with their creative designs. Entertainer Johnny Ray set the stage for a fun and festive evening with a variety of live music, from a little island reggae to rock-n-roll classics from the 50’s and 60’s to traditional holiday songs. In addition, The Sanctuary’s chef and staff, as always, presented a delicious array of buffet choices for our guests to enjoy.
Our sincerest thanks go to our presenting sponsor, the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company. Their generous presenting sponsorship continues to make this event possible and profitable for CROW. A beautifully decorated tree of tiny sand dollars, created by designer Sally Hanser, was also sponsored by the Trust Company. Heartfelt thanks again go to The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and to Hanser for their continued support.
CROW is truly grateful to The Sanctuary Golf Club and its staff for hosting this important event for CROW. Their efforts are magnanimous and make a tremendous difference in the Festival’s success each year.
Our sincerest thanks also go to the following Silver Sleigh sponsors: Eileen Courtney, John and Donna Schubert and Suncatcher’s Dream; Twinkling Star Sponsors: Bank of the Islands, Wayne and Linda Boyd and Coral Veterinary Clinic.
Thanks go as well to our tree designers and sponsors, without whom there would be no Festival, to donors and guests and their generosity in bidding and purchasing trees, wreaths and gifts for CROW.
“CROW relies exclusively on membership and other donations to operate, and events such as the ‘Giving Tree Festival’ bring in necessary annual operating support for CROW,” said board president Dr. Paul Douglass.
For more information about CROW or to make a donation, call 395-0048.