Nov 19, 2007

Annual holiday tree benefit bids farewell

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

For the last time, the sight of 28 shimmering designer-decorated Christmas trees ushered in the Peninsula's holiday season at the annual Festival of Trees benefit for Achievekids. The Peninsula Children's Auxiliary celebrated a pair of milestones at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club with a fashion show luncheon titled "Happy Birthday PCA: 40 Fabulous Years" and a 25th festival silver anniversary "Silver Soiree" gala.

Highlights of the daylong festival included a boutique featuring handcrafted decorations and gifts, a pair of choreographed fashion shows, a pair of treasure chests, a silent and live auction, and an elegant luncheon and sparkling supper.

Designed and donated by members, designers and local businesses, the spectacular tabletop holiday trees were sold by raffle and at auction.

At the luncheon Elsie Floriani purchased the "It's a Jungle Out There" tree designed by Robin Katsaros. Marilee Gardner purchased the silver-themed tree, "Reflections, 25 years of Festival Trees," designed by Judith Bragg, Earlene Minetti and Vickie Warden, who present a tree every year. Mary Scrivner purchased the Clipped Wings United Airlines Stewardess Alumnae and Flight Attendants organization tree, "Everybody Loves Santa," designed by Alice Faye Symons and June Trent Wexler. After the evening gala, Twila and Clay Woods took home Helen Leong's "Memories of a Silver Legacy" tree.

The National Football League Alumni organization sponsored tree, "Holiday Hugs," continued its 10-year-plus tradition of being the most generously endowed festival tree. It is donated to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and raises the most money for Achievekids.

Jane Yates, "Holiday Hugs" coordinator and one of the festival founders, was thrilled the tree raised $14,400. Called the "tree that keeps on giving," "Hugs" was created by a team of current and sustaining auxiliary members and community friends. It features Folkmanis puppets and a potpourri of stuffed toys from Plush Creations and the Brown Bear Factory. The tree, along with wagons of toys, will be delivered to the young patients at the hospital during a holiday party in December. Longtime helpers included co-founder Judith Beisler, Jan Pieper, Barbara Radmacher, Margo Ritter and Stephanie Leong.

Luncheon emcee and KTVU Channel 2 news anchor Dave Clark performed an original poem and skit, giving a glimpse of the important work done at Achievekids.

Clark switched gears when he described the professionally coordinated fashion show as "the best fashion show in North America." The fashions were a mix of sophisticated holiday ensembles from Prestige of Palo Alto, coordinated by Prestige girls Barbara, Jo and Bonnie, and attire from CAbi, Carol Anderson by Invitation, as coordinated by independent consultant Mari Cornelius. Men's fashions were presented by Patrick James. Both Prestige and Patrick James are located in the newly renovated Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.

Enthusiastic audience members included past festival chairs and auxiliary presidents including Ann Griffiths, Maureen Collins, Mary Ann Hobbs, Nancy Kalkbrenner and Mary Rose Scott, as well as president Judy Lipman and Achievekids board member Kathy Kriese.

Fashion show coordinators Gae Saers and festival chairwoman Joy Somersett somehow found time to take a turn on the runway. The evening show featured designer gowns by Wyndie Carter's Bouffant in Woodside and fashions by Victoria Bracha of VB Bracha in San Carlos and Los Altos, as well as styles from Patrick James.

"I was very honored to be asked to chair this year's festival, especially considering that it was the 40th anniversary for the Peninsula Children's Auxiliary and the festival's 25th anniversary," chairwoman Somersett said. "It was a memorable event. I am thankful to have played a significant part in raising money to help the kids at the Achievekids schools in both Palo Alto and San Jose."

At the luncheon, Somersett said the auxiliary's 40 years of philanthropy has raised more than $2 million for Achievekids, and that the organization was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2000 as a "Distinguished Volunteer Fundraiser" and in 2007 as an "Outstanding Honoree."

Achievekids is a nonprofit agency that provides innovative programs and services for 1,200 autistic and/or emotionally and developmentally challenged children and young adults in San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda and Santa Cruz counties.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.