Christmas Forest opens for viewing

Most folks were still trying to figure out their Halloween costumes when JoAnn Green began working on"Candy Canes and Kisses for Christmas."

The mouth-watering, 8-foot tree is one of nearly 60 customized tress and wreaths at the Providence St. Peter Foundation’s Christmas Forest, which opens today at Red Lion hotel in Olympia.

“Designers work throughout the year, even a year or two ahead, collecting things if they have an idea,” said Green, 63, of East Olympia.

The retired Lacey Elementary School teacher has created gorgeous and whimsical trees for Christmas Forest since its inception more than 20 years ago.

“One year I like to do a fun kids’ theme and the next year I’ll do something more elegant,” she said. “This is the first year I’ve done an artificial tree. I’m kind of excited. It’s going to be a little different.”

For many South Sounders, a visit to Christmas Forest is the perfect way to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner and get in the mood for the holiday season.

“When you walk in that ballroom, it’s unbelievable and amazing,” Green said of the display. “Everything is focused on Christmas and there are so many beautiful things in one room, for adults and kids.”

But the event is more than a room of festive eye candy. It’s also a major fundraising effort for the Providence St. Peter Foundation, which provides charitable support for Providence Mother Joseph Care Center, Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice and the Providence St. Francis House.

Christmas Forest typically raises between $300,000 to $400,000 a year through its public viewings, auction, gala and other special events, according to Kelle Schalin, the events manager with Providence St. Peter Foundation.

“Throughout its history, we’ve generated $3.8 million to support the community health services,” Schalin said.

Proceeds of what organizers call “the Forest” help pay the medical bills of people who don’t have insurance, purchase life-saving medical equipment and support community health-based programs. During this year’s auction, a special effort will be made to raise money for new anesthesia machines for the St. Peter Family Birth Center, said event co-chairman Greg Stormans.

“Christmas Forest supports Providence programs that support the greatest needs in the community,” he said.

Every year, about 350 people donate their muscle, creative energy and other talents to the event, said Schalin. They include designers who create the trees and wreaths, local high school students who help with set-up and tear-down, a local moving company that delivers the trees, retirees from Jubilee who sell raffle tickets for the event, music and dance performers who provide entertainment throughout the week, and numerous corporate sponsors who donate money and in-kind services for the event.

“And the list just goes on and on,” Schalin said.

Like many charities, the event has been affected by the tough economy. Last year’s sponsor for the popular “All that Glitters Luncheon” wasn’t able to return, so the event was canceled. Organizers are taking a year off to regroup and plan something different down the road, Schalin said.

Those who loved the All that Glitters luncheon are encouraged to attend the Silver Bell Breakfast, which will feature champagne and performances by dancers from Ballet Northwest, she said.

“It’s basically the same thing, only it’s a breakfast,” she said. “It’s a nice alternative to the luncheon.”

At the same time, Schalin said there are economical ways for folks to support the foundation and enjoy the event, including visiting during public viewing times, buying items at the Christmas Forest gift shop and purchasing raffle tickets.

Green paired up with her best friend Lois Miles to design the candy-themed tree for this year’s auction. They created large “kisses” by wrapping canning funnels with silver foil. They also procured several gifts that go with the tree, including a Hershey’s Kiss fondue pot and a kiss-themed checkerboard.

After the trees have been auctioned off and the final viewing day is over, designers remove breakable ornaments from the trees. Then the trees are wrapped and delivered to winning businesses and homes throughout the community.

“After the trees arrive at the destinations, all of the designers go and fluff and buff,” Green said. “We make sure ornaments go back on, lights are working, and it looks as good as it did at the Christmas Forest.”

And by the time this year’s event draws to a close, it’s already time for Green to begin working on next year’s tree. It’s not uncommon for Christmas Forest designers to find inspiration in post-holiday clearance items.

“I think we’ve all been in fundraisers, and participated, and I think that what makes this one different is that it’s so positive and that attitude keeps everybody wanting to come back and do it again,” Green said. “It’s just a community event that’s growing and growing, and everybody’s proud of that. And it’s an event that keeps giving to the community.”