A tree decorated by the Fort Riley USO stands with others inside the Houston Street Ballroom Friday night for the annual Festival of Trees Gala. (photos by Brady Bauman)
Festive food, trees and spirit (and spirits) were abundant Friday night in the Houston Street Ballroom for the annual Festival of Trees Gala.
The event benefits the Flint Hills Volunteer Center.
Christmas trees and other holiday displays were decorated by local businesses and organizations to help raise funds for the center, which offers a wide range of programs that help promote activities for the young and old in the community, including military veterans.
“It’s our major fundraiser for the year,” Flint Hills Volunteer Center Executive Director Lori Bishop said Friday night. “So all the proceeds of tonight’s event go towards all the programs and services that we do.”
For the second year of the event, a “Battle of the Badges” competition between the Riley County Police Department and the Manhattan Fire Department was had with the RCPD coming out on top this year. Their tree, titled “Peace Officer,” brought $1,200 and took “Mayor’s Choice” and “Best Use of Theme” awards.
Riley County Police Department officer Brian Swearingen, middle, posed with Manhattan firefighter Gregg Van De Creek during Friday night’s Festival of Trees Gala. The RCPD and MFD competed in the event’s “Battle of the Badges” competition for best-decorated tree. Pictured left is Master of Ceremonies Dave Lewis.
Overall, the event raised $16,000 for the center.
“We’re a federally-funded program, so we’re required to have a 30-percent match,” Bishop said. “With some budget cuts that are looming for us, this will help off-set the cuts we’re predicting to have for this year, so this was crucial for us tonight.”
Bishop said she’s thankful for the volunteers who help the community throughout the year.
“The needs are great and luckily for us we’re able to find those volunteers,” she said.
