Festival of Trees fundraiser benefits Presbyterian Medical Services

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FARMINGTON N.M. – Holiday classics like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Polar Express” are themes for two of the trees in this year’s Festival of Trees fundraiser for Presbyterian Medical Services.

"It helps to support five programs in the area so we have our Farmington Community Health Center," said Jyl Adair with Presbyterian Medical Services. "We have Totah Behavioral Health, we have our early intervention program, and disabilities programs and our children services program, so all the funds stay local and help support everyone of those programs."

This fundraiser has taken place for nearly 20 years. Wreaths and Christmas trees are all donated and decorated with the help of the community, then raffled off a few days before Christmas. It has become one of the biggest fundraisers for Presbyterian Medical Services.

Due to the pandemic, they were extra creative for the fundraiser last year.

“Typically we had this at the Farmington Civic Center and, you know, we have a nice room there and it’s so magical to see all of the trees displayed in one space, but due to the pandemic we had to think outside the box," Adair said. "For that, our downtown businesses opened up their doors and said, ‘hey why don’t you guys come down and let’s put some into the windows.’"

People were able to enter to win a tree online. This year, because of the pandemic, the event will be the same as last year.

“We even have more businesses this year participating because it was kind of contagious last year and they said all ‘we want to be a part of it this year,’" said Jan Felix Haupert, a Festival of Trees committee member.

They have about 30 businesses and almost 50 trees. The goal is to raise about $30,000 this year. The festivities started Thursday.

The trees will be displayed until Dec. 12. For more information, click here.