Two days of holiday festivities will raise funding to support affordable housing on the islands.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is our big benefit for the year,\u201d Executive Director Nicole Decker-McHale said. \u201cThe money raised is going to help us manage the affordable housing program for the workforce and seniors.\u201d<\/p>\n
COMMUNITY DAY<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have 20 trees and 18 wreaths that are being decorated by community members, nonprofits and business owners,\u201d she said, adding that all the wreaths and 15 trees are up for grabs in a silent auction.<\/p>\n
At 2 p.m., the BIG ARTS chorus will perform. Terri Kuhl will do a reading of \u201cThe Grinch Who Stole Christmas\u201d at 3:30 p.m. From 4 to 6 p.m., attendees can capture the memory with holiday characters.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies can come and have their photos taken with Santa and the Grinch. We also have T.C. Bear that will be there,\u201d Decker-McHale said, referring to the Minnesota Twins\u2019 costumed character mascot.<\/p>\n
There will be holiday-themed arts and crafts to take part in.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can write letters to Santa,\u201d she said. \u201cThey can make two different ornaments.\u201d<\/p>\n
A toy gift will be given to each child.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have toys for every child that will be going to the event. Big toys,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Jerry\u2019s Foods will supply hot chocolate and cookies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have refreshments,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In addition to the silent auction, CHR will raffle off a tree currently on display at the Sanibel Public Library called \u201cWhere Happiness Lives.\u201d Attendees can purchase tickets for $100 each to win it.<\/p>\n
Decker-McHale noted that Bubbly Latitude volunteered its time to decorate the facility.<\/p>\n
Admission is a suggested $5 donation for adults, and free for ages 18 and under.<\/p>\n
The community is invited to come out.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur community has been devastated by multiple storms,\u201d she said. \u201cThis is a time for our community to experience something magical, a winter wonderland that\u2019s going to take us all away while we visit with family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
BENEFIT<\/p>\n
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\u2019s first mayor, Porter Goss. Rachel Pierce will serve as the auctioneer.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have five trees randomly chosen,\u201d Decker-McHale said of the live auction goodies.<\/p>\n
Attendees can bid on the additional 15 trees and wreaths in the silent auction, plus buy raffle tickets.<\/p>\n
CHR will hold a Raise Up For Housing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe paddle raiser will be for the build of Riverview,\u201d she said of the affordable housing apartment complex that they broke ground on in September, which will provide 15 one-bedroom, one-bath units.<\/p>\n
CHR has raised $6.9 million for the project and is in need of $100,000 more to hit its goal.<\/p>\n
Catered food will be served up by Artichoke & Company.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd there will be a full bar,\u201d Decker-McHale said.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $175 per person.<\/p>\n
The community is encouraged to reserve their spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the amount of flooding that has happened in the community, we realize that most people lost their decorations for the season,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity for individuals to be able to purchase a tree or wreath to decorate their home, while giving back to the community \u2014 to a nonprofit that is integral to the economic sustainability of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
For tickets, visit https:\/\/sancapchr.org\/festival-of-trees\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cCHR would like to thank the business community and individuals who are helping us to provide affordable housing to the workforce and the seniors,\u201d Decker-McHale said of the fundraiser\u2019s sponsors and supporters.<\/p>\n