Design Letter

The Norfolk City Union of The King’s Daughters (NCUKD), founding organization of Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD), invites you to be a part of one of the most anticipated fundraising events in our community, the 23rd Annual Holly Festival of Trees!

Since 1983, the Holly Festival has been ushering in the holiday season with a dazzling display of beautifully and uniquely decorated trees and wreaths. The gingerbread village is truly enchanting. The Luncheon and Fashion show is an annual sell-out and our Gala with Live Auction is a spirited event and a highlight each year. The Festival, themed “Visions of Sugarplums,” will be held Friday, November 18 through Saturday, November 19, 2005 and we are fortunate to have secured the Norfolk Yacht and Country Club as our setting.

This year we are dedicating our efforts toward the purchase of much needed pediatric cribs. They are state of the art medical devices used in general and intensive care units; 41 are needed at a cost of $7,000 each. We would like to exceed expectations and purchase all of the cribs asked of us by our hospital. We are looking for trees uniquely themed with interesting gifts that will inspire our guests to bid high.

Suggestions for tree themes are enclosed. Keep in mind these are only suggestions; if you have an idea for a theme not listed, by all means: go for it! Creativity is encouraged. If you find a theme you like or decide to come up with a theme of your own, call, fax or return your Decorator Agreement as soon as possible! Themes will be awarded on a “first come, first served” basis. There will be no duplicate trees.

As a Tree Designer you are provided with a tree to decorate, or you may provide your own (only artificial trees are permitted). Permissible tree sizes include 3 foot, 4.5 foot, and 7 foot. If you provide your own tree, you will not be reimbursed for the cost unless previously approved by the NCUKD office. Designers are responsible for securing all gifts, decorations and donations for their trees. If you choose one of the enclosed themes and find you need help making contacts to obtain gifts or decorations, please contact the Tree Design Chair, Christina Waters at 761-6225. The value of each tree is determined on an individual basis. You may design as many trees as you wish.

A Decorating Workshop will be held this summer. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the other designers, get ideas for ways to best showcase your tree and theme, and increase the excitement and anticipation for the Festival. An invitation for this workshop will be mailed to you once you send in your Decorator Agreement. It is the Festival of Trees after all; the work you do as a Tree Designer is the glue that holds this whole weekend together. Thank you for your interest in this most unique event.

Sincerely,

Silver Conley Chair 23rd Annual Holly Festival of Trees

Christina Waters Tree Designer Chair 23rd Annual Holly Festival of Trees