Festival of Trees 2024 raises $2.4M for Tacoma’s new children’s hospital

This past weekend, Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees concluded with Tinsel on the Town and Gala events. Leaders, clinicians, staff, donors and volunteers gave generously in support of building a new 100% pediatric hospital campus, totaling $2.4 million.

Those who missed Public Days can still catch a piece of the magic on display in the MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital Lobby. “Under Construction” was this year’s top tree, receiving a $100,000 donation for naming rights. Team No Bad Days combined bids with Dr. Robert Irwin, Mary Bridge Children’s pediatric oncologist, in honor of Irwin’s late daughter Kate and his commitment to live the mantra that buoyed her through breast cancer treatment.

This tree represents a pint-sized take on the pediatric hospital of tomorrow designed by real-life project partners Layton and Abbott Construction. Their tree is sprinkled with high-visibility gear and Lego kits to inspire tomorrow’s architects. A crane hoists the Mary Bridge kite high above the tree, surrounded by four-wheelers marking the site perimeter overhead. Those looking even closer can play “Where’s Waldo?” just as Mary Bridge Children’s patients do daily, scanning the construction site for a life-size Waldo. Sponsored by Abbott Construction, every toy will be donated to Child Life for the hospital’s playroom.