Festival of Holiday Trees Raises Funds for NICU

The SoutheastHEALTH Auxiliary's Festival of Holiday Trees netted more than $10,000 to benefit Southeast Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit and the NICVIEW webcam system, a secure video link for parents and family members to keep a close eye on their infants in the unit.

The event drew an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 200 Auxiliary members, Southeast employees and Hospital supporters.

The festival, held on Saturday evening , Nov. 15, at the Southeast Cancer Center, raised money from sponsorships, ticket sales and a silent auction of 24 colorfully decorated Christmas trees. SoutheastHEALTH employees and volunteers, along with local florists, artists, design firms and other businesses donated and decorated the 4-foot-tall trees.

The net proceeds from the event, coupled with another $10,000 set aside from Gift Shop profits and proceeds from special sales, have completed the Auxiliary's $50,000 contribution to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) project, says Auxiliary President Nancy Bray.

The $30,000 the Auxiliary has already donated to the NICU made possible acquisition of the NICVIEW webcam system, Bray adds.

Parents of NICU graduate Kamryn Grace Spradling, Kelly and Bert Spradling, and grandparents Pam and Al Spradling served as honorary chairpersons for the festival. Auxiliary Treasurer Julie Cook chaired the committee of volunteers who organized the successful event.