Wreaths fundraiser wraps up

With Christmas just a few days away, those who entered to win one of the wreaths from the Mineral County Medical Foundation and won, will have a nicely decorated item to place inside their home or outside on their front door.

“This event is always so much fun for us,” said Maggie Dahl, from the foundation. “We are all kids at heart and we truly love seeing the trees and wreaths all decorated.”

If you had a chance to see any of the wreaths or one of the two trees that were decorated by volunteers, you can see how much work the decorators put into them. Groups or volunteers who offer to decorate the wreaths and trees are provided with their canvas free of charge. The decorator provided the ornaments, ribbons and other items they wished to use to decorate their wreath or tree. The wreaths this year were a bit smaller and thus less expensive for the volunteers to decorate.

Maureen Bullock, also from the foundation, said that it is always fun to see “the crafty and clever decorating ideas.”

Bullock added that they greatly appreciate everyone who chose to decorate a wreath this year and in years past. The money raised will go towards equipment for a new orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Alyea. Dr. Alyea has operated a successful practice in the Spokane area for numerous years and is anxious to begin spending more time in his new home in St. Regis. 

This year, the wreath fundraising event garnered $1,000 to put toward equipment.

The winning wreath, that received the most votes, was number seven, Barb Jacquot’s Toyland. She ended up donating her winnings back to the foundation.

Dahl also wanted to let everyone know who won each of the wreaths, as “everyone is always asking.

Sean Hollenback won the 4-H wreath and Judy Stang won the Purr-fect wreath by Eastern Star. Kathy Jasper won Silver Bells, which was decorated by the nursing staff and Jo Ann Arney won the Holly Bows wreath, decorated by O’Aces. The Housewarming wreath, decorated by the Houlihans was won by Marge Lincoln Conway. Shirley Mancini won the wreath decorated by Jackie’s Flowers, Golden Christmas, and Shirley Conrow won Jacquot’s wreath.

Kristie Hardebeck decorated the Country Christmas wreath, which was won by Gail Chamberlain. Pat Darne won the Fantasy wreath that Coleen at Antiques Depot decorated. The Bears and Bells wreath was decorated by St. Albert’s Altar Society and was won by Bert Blackman. They also decorated the Reason for the Season wreath, which was won by Jennifer Hankinson. A Cherry Christmas was decorated by Jackie Callison and Brooke Lincoln won that wreath. Gingerbread Dreams by the JAM Media Group was also won by Lincoln. Monte Turner won Kathy Gamble’s wreath, Bountiful Blessings. Finally, there were two trees that were also decorated. The Gingerbread Tree was decorated by the foundation and won by Betty Coen. Wanda James won the tree decorated by Janet Neville.

Overall, the foundation was happy with the results of the fundraising. This year, they also held a “Gathering of the Wreaths” event to showcase the wreaths so that people could view them all in one place before deciding which one they wanted to buy a ticket for thus voting for best decorated.