Good Samaritan Network (GSN) of Hamilton County, Inc., a local nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, has announced its annual Hamilton County Festival of Trees.
The return of this holiday tradition marks a significant impact for the unserved, at-risk, and underserved Hamilton County families with critical programming for shelter, holiday, and food assistance.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration to decorate your own tree or simply want to revel in the magical atmosphere, the 2023 Festival of Trees is the perfect place to kick-start your holiday season.
The 10th annual Festival of Trees will be held at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18 with an onsite live auction, as well as a silent auction. This unforgettable evening will take place at the beautiful Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel, 11925 N. Meridian St., Carmel.
The evening will include a dinner, a keynote speaker, a surprise guest, and an auction including custom-designed themed Christmas trees, wreaths, and table centerpieces – all hand-decorated by local designers specifically as fundraising pieces. Purchased trees (five feet and taller) will be professionally delivered free to the purchaser’s residence or address of choice the Monday following the event.
“Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of beautifully decorated trees, twinkling lights, and the joyous spirit of the holidays – you’ll be glad you did,” GSN Founder and Executive Director Nancy Chance said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community, enjoy a program, indulge in a wonderful meal with delicious treats, and browse through a variety of unique hand-made holiday items you’ll want to take home as you kick-start your holidays.”
Reservations are now available and are required due to limited seating. To RSVP, please visit gsnlive.org/festival-of-trees, or call (317) 842-2603 ext. 200 for more details.
“In 2022 we thoroughly enjoyed our second year at the Renaissance North with a near-capacity crowd,” Chance said. “It was a historic evening, marking the first time a LIVE AUCTION tree, ‘Christmas Camping, We Will Go,’ was auctioned for $6,000. But the evening included a wonderful selection of countless other items in our SILENT AUCTION.”
Chance concluded, “2022 was our best year ever with our strongest list of sponsors and participants, grossing $91,197 for the event. The live auction was fast-paced, incredibly fun, and very successful, raising $30,600 alone!”
This year, the Festival of Trees will include mobile and online bidding. Simply register and you’re ready to bid by phone and/or online at any time during the bidding timeline. No app is required.
Last year’s Holiday Assistance Program served over 46,000 people with (1) Thanksgiving Distribution of food boxes, (2) Thanksgiving Day Meals (drive-thru and delivery), (3) Christmas Distribution of food boxes and holiday toys, and (4) delivery of 791 holiday meals for shut-ins on Christmas Eve.
Sponsorships are incredibly important to the success of the Festival of Trees.
“Since Festival of Trees began in 2014, we have been blessed with 110 amazing sponsors accumulating over $150,000 in sponsorships,” Chance said. “Collectively they have assisted Hamilton County families by supporting GSN’s Client Assistance programs and services! That’s incredible and that’s why sponsor participation is so critical! Sponsorships usually provide over one-third of the fundraising gross, making a huge investment in our community and showing generosity and concern for our neighbors during the holidays! Thank you, sponsors!”
Sponsorships are available in multiple categories, including Event Sponsor for $8,000, Pinnacle Sponsor for $4,000, Pillar Sponsor for $2,000, Platform Sponsor for $ 1,000, and Partner for $500. Sponsors can easily register online at gsnlive.org/festival-of-trees.
Current 2023 Festival of Trees sponsors include:
- Gaylor Electric / Chuck Goodrich For Congress / Event Sponsor
- Breathe Easy Hamilton County, Stacy Collins / Pinnacle Sponsor
- Spencer Farm, Kyle Spencer / Pinnacle Sponsor
- Spencer Farm Winery, Mark Spencer / Pinnacle Sponsor
- Gordon Insurance, Austin Boyer / Pillar Sponsor
- Dorsey Excavating Inc., Roscoe Dorsey / Pillar Sponsor
- Todd’s In Home Care, Bill Todd / Pillar Sponsor
- Eckart Supply, Dave Chapman / Pillar Sponsor
- Kinsey’s Floor Covering, Jennifer Wariner / Pillar Sponsor
- Christine Altman, Hamilton County Commissioner / Platform Sponsor
- Food 4 Souls, Vickie Tyner / Platform Sponsor
- Susan Yeager / Partner Sponsor
- Hamilton County Reporter / Media Sponsor
For more Festival of Trees information and details, or to become a sponsor or designer, visit gsnlive.org/festival-of-trees or contact Festival of Trees Event Coordinator Kim Harden at (317) 379-0470 or iloveitdesigns@att.net; or Nancy Chance at (317) 842-2603 ext. 200 or nchance@gsnlive.org.