The annual Jubilee of Trees kicked off its 41st year of being a St. George tradition for many families welcoming in the first leg of the holidays.
The event brings holiday cheer, dazzling decorations and beautiful trees for the public to see and enjoy while getting in the festive spirit. The event is held at the Dixie Convention Center and has Christmas trees that are up for auction to raise funds for this years cause—”A future where no cancer is untreatable.”
This cause area focuses on raising money for St. George Regional Hospital’s advanced cancer services.
“There is something for everyone, people of all ages, to be uplifted by the holiday spirit and to join with us and ensure that every cancer patient has access to services, the latest state-of-the-art therapies, and personalized, multidisciplinary approach to their care,” Loriana De Crescenzo, executive director at Intermountain Health Foundation, said.
The Jubilee of Trees showcased a beautiful array of large trees, mini trees and everything in between designed by local designers and businesses. Even Utah Tech University’s Fusion got in on the fun and decorated a bison themed tree.
The designers who are volunteers start planning their trees a year in advance, and register for their spot when registration opens July 1. This gives them a few months to begin forming an idea of what they want their tree to look like and time to start collecting the different ornaments and decorations for their trees.
“We have several designers that have come back to decorate trees. We even have a tree that the Future Farmers of America club at Desert Hills High School designed and donated,” Colin Searle, vice president of programmatic giving at Intermountain Health Foundation, said.
To reinforce how important Jubilee of Trees fundraising is to advance cancer services, they told the story of Autumn Rasmussen, who survived Ewing sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer. Rasmussen, who endured months of chemotherapy, replacing her hip socket joint and pubic ramus bone and having a chunk of her femur removed, found that this year’s event brings on a new meaning for her.
“I am even more excited now for Jubliee of Trees, because before my treatment, I loved coming and seeing the trees, but now I feel like I love coming to support the cause area… Because I am more immersed in it and what the fundraiser is for,” Rasmussen said.
The funds raised from Jubilee of Trees, will be benefiting patients like Rasmussen, who may find themselves face to face with rare and aggressive forms of cancer.
“We wish no one gets a diagnosis of cancer, but if you do, we want you to know that there’s excellence of care, compassionate care thats close to home,” De Crescenzo said.
For many attendees, Jubilee Of Trees is a part of their holiday traditions. Whether it’s marveling at the trees, children enjoying writing letters to Santa and even getting a picture with him, or donors quietly bidding on trees and wreaths to fund this year’s cause area, this event fosters a sense of hope and togetherness.
For more information about the Jubilee of Trees or to contribute to the cause, visit their website or follow their Instagram.
