November 29, was a night of laughter, furious bidding, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and remarkable generosity. This year’s Festival of Trees was a full house at the Eagle’s Club in Valley City. The Festival is an annual fundraiser hosted by CHI Mercy Health Foundation, raising money for the hospital.

This year, the Foundation was raising money for the Physical Therapy Department and new equipment. The Foundation raised $17,000 this year for our Physical Therapy Department. which is well on the way to the $24,000 needed to purchase the four pieces of equipment.

There was the live auction of the Christmas trees and sprays and mantle pieces. There was a silent auction. And new this year was the auction of an elegant leather purse, donated by Sanford Health, by the designer Dooney and Bourke. What made the leather purse even more appealing was the cash stuffed inside as the purse was passed among the crowd. Donna and Lloyd Nelson won the purse, and the $310 inside.

A New England Shrimp Boil Experience was purchased by the Dwight and Robbin Kiefert family, which they enjoyed over the past weekend. Rum cake for dessert! There was the Deluxe Trip raffle this year with a selection of vacation destinations: Boston, New Orleans, and the Cancun vacation won by Misty Anderson.

The beautiful quilt made by Pat Langemo, quilted by Cindy Fitzner, and sponsored by Dacotah Plains Co-op and Inter Community Telephone was won by Amber Olson.

The CHI Mercy Health Foundation thanks everyone who came, with a special thank you to the CHI Mercy Health Auxilary, who contributed $1000 to the FOT, and to National Medical Resources Inc., who contributed $4000 as event sponsors!

For more information on the Foundation or the Physical Therapy Department, call 845-6400.