TACOMA, Wash. – The 34th annual Festival of Trees Gala raised more than $1.6 million for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Festival of Trees is the largest annual fundraiser for the hospital and benefits programs and services at the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in Western Washington. In addition to surpassing this year’s fundraising goal, the live auction portion of the evening made event history.
“The Kate Tree,” one of the 17 featured holiday trees, sold for $600,000, breaking Festival records for the largest amount ever donated for a single tree. Decorated in memory of Kate Irwin, the eldest daughter of long-time Mary Bridge Children’s pediatric oncologist, Robert Irwin, MD, the tree featured things Kate loved, including bright colors, goldendoodles, handwritten letters, global travel, Nordstrom and Starbucks. Kate fought a courageous battle with breast cancer and before she passed in 2019, made friends and family promise to find the light amid darkness and to live out her mantra: No bad days. Designers Mackenzie Fruge, Katelyn Krzmarzick and Bridget Upshaw wanted to honor Kate and invite others to live like she did, with kindness and optimism.
“What an incredible evening full of inspiration, generosity and hope,” said Alicia Chapman, executive director of Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation. “We’re so grateful to all who volunteered, donated and attended this year’s event. Thanks to the many individuals, businesses and organizations that supported this year’s Festival of Trees, Mary Bridge Children’s will continue to expand access to care and services for all children in our region.”
More than 600 people tuned in virtually to the Festival of Trees Gala. Festival of Trees is organized by the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation in partnership with the Mary Bridge Brigade. Since its founding in 1921, the Brigade has raised more than $50 million for Mary Bridge Children’s.
Presenting sponsors for this year’s Festival of Trees were E9 Brewing Company, Tom & Meg Names Family Foundation, The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Potelco and Sound Physicians. For more information, visit the Festival of Trees website.
About Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation
The Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation supports uncompensated care and clinical and community programs not covered by insurance for patients and families at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Wash. Mary Bridge Children’s serves more than 300,000 children each year. More than half of the families served at Mary Bridge Children’s are low-income, and more than 60 percent of families are on Medicaid.
Generous donations to the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation allow the hospital to expand access to care so all children can receive the care they need. The Mary Bridge Brigade is the largest and oldest donor and, throughout its more than 100-year history, has donated in excess of $50 million to Mary Bridge Children’s, including a $10 million commitment to the new children’s hospital.
Donor-supported programs and services made possible by the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation include mobile immunization clinics, child life services, Helping Hands and more. Learn more about opportunities to give or get involved.
About Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital
Founded in 1955, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is the state-designated Level II Pediatric Trauma Center for Western Washington. Offering comprehensive care and resources for critically ill and injured children, Mary Bridge Children’s is the only pediatric hospital in Southwest Washington. Mary Bridge Children’s also provides primary, specialty, therapy and urgent care services at its outpatient centers and clinics across the Puget Sound region, including Tacoma, Puyallup, Gig Harbor, Olympia, Auburn, Covington, Maple Valley, Federal Way, Renton, Bonney Lake and Silverdale.
Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network believes that kids should be at the front of the line. More than a place of hope and healing, Mary Bridge Children’s is a place where expert care helps kids get back to doing what they do best: being kids. Mary Bridge Children’s serves children and families, regardless of ability to pay, thanks to generous contributions to the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation.
Mary Bridge Children’s is a part of MultiCare Health System, the largest community-based and locally governed health system in Washington state. For more information about Mary Bridge Children’s, visit marybridge.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, or our Kite Strings blog.
