News : VGH Holiday Tree Walk nets nearly $3,500 in first year

Two of the trees remain in VGH lobby, waiting to be picked up by their highest bidders.

A Virginia Gay Hospital employee’s new holiday idea has raised $3,500 for the VGH Foundation.

The first annual Holiday Tree Walk ended on Monday; the silent auction of 21 trees and a wreath raised just under $3,500 toward the annual Tree of Lights Fund-raiser, said VGH Foundation Director Mike Timmermans.

“This adds nicely to the Tree of Lights total for this year,” said Timmermans. “It was a huge success for its first year.”

Timmermans adds that the sponsorship of Edward Jones helped to contribute significantly to the event’s success.

The Holiday Tree Walk was the idea of Jenny Northrup. Jenny, a member of the Cardiopulmonary Services Department, mentioned the idea to some of the others there. They quickly agreed. Soon the idea spread to other departments, including Respiratory Care, Nuclear Medicine and Human Resources. Many area business owners also donated trees.

The walk included 21 trees and a large wreath created and donated by Cindy Elwick and her staff at Nature's Corner.

Bidding began early in November and ended Monday at 5 p.m. Timmermans said the VGH lobby was quite busy during that last half hour, as many people came to make sure their bid was the highest for the tree they wanted most.

Below is a list of this year’s trees and their winning bidders.

The Vinton-Shellsburg cooks created a tree with a school theme. The white branches are covered with black and gold ornaments, most of which are homemade. Instead of an angel or a star, the treetop is covered by a VS stocking cap. Linda Meeker was the high bidder for this one.

It will not surprise the friends of Angie Tharp that the Tharp Design tree is called "Pretty in Pink." But Angie said that she did not set out to create a tree that uses the same color as the Breast Cancer Awareness organization used in October. She said she was merely shopping for decorations for the tree and picked out things she thought were pretty. Most of them have pink with them. Colleen Long offered the highest bid for this one.

Jenny Northrup made a "Princess" tree with decorations in a variety of shades of purple. Brie McKenna took that one home after offering the highest silent bid.

Ben Gates of the Nuclear Medicine Dept. also used his favorite colors, black and gold. His tree honors the Iowa Hawkeyes. Linda Meeker also bought that one.

Mark and Marcey Jensen, another VGH family, created a tree for golf lovers. The tree contains just about everything a golf lover needs, including a small golf bag. Ted Jessen is the new owner of that tree.

VGH employee Kim Swore's tree is called "Up a creek without a paddle" and features items for fishermen. Another VGH employee, Tina Eden, bought this tree.

Kim Frank of the VGH Human Resources Dept. and Respiratory Care Dept. created two trees. One features a variety of careers and includes ornaments for "My Favorite" doctor, nurse, firefighter and other professions. The other has a "Crazy Days of Christmas." Teri Buelow bought the “favorite” tree while the employees of the VGH business office bought the “Crazy Days” tree.

Monkeytown and Kurt's Enterprises donated trees with a more traditional holiday theme. Tedd Kipper bought the Monkeytown tree; Kathy VanScoy was the high bidder for the one donated by Kurt’s.

The wreath from Nature's Corner now belongs to Harold VanScoy.

Artist Hannah Mayhew, a Vinton native, designed every ornament on the tree sponsored by Farmers Savings Bank & Trust-Vinton. FSB employee Cindy Osborn quilted the tree skirt. Farmers Bank employee Therese Foth was the high bidder for that tree.

Bill and Jane White of Nelson's Furniture donated a traditional style tree, as did LaGrange Pharmacy. Linda Ebert was high bidder for the LaGrange tree; Emmett Stephenson now owns the tree from Nelson’s.

VGH employee Karleen Langham used her favorite colors, black and orange, for her tree that features a Harley Davidson theme. Cindy Reinberg bought this tree.

Chris Brown, another VGH employee, contributed a tree containing gift certificates and lottery tickets. Lynette Richards was the high bidder for that tree.

Other trees by VGH employees include a traditional one from Linda Ebert. Lisa Rule was the high bidder for that one.

Movies and More donated a small tree that contains coupons and items for tanning. Mike Riege was the high bidder for that one.

AFLAC representative Randy Suchomel donated a tree with the theme "We've got you under our wing." Peyton Frank was the highest bidder for that tree.

Scissors, not a star or angel, top the tree from Clipper's Corner. Darlene Hilton bought it in the silent auction.

Colleen Long of the VGH Cardiac Rehab Services created a tree with heart shapes and crystal. The winning bidder was Teri Buelow.

Tracie Fisher was the high bidder for the traditional-style tree donated by Mossman & Mossman.

Hospital leaders anticipate that the event will grow in future years. Businesses, organizations and individuals who would like to donate a tree next year tree can call Kim Frank at VGH, 472-6200. To learn more and to donate to this year's Tree of Lights campaign, visit the VGH web site, www.myvgh.org.