Festival of Trees raises $2.16 million

The 2023 Mary Bridge Children’s Festival of Trees raised $2.16 million toward critical programs and construction of the new hospital campus.

“I’m grateful for the generosity of our community, which I’m proud to say surpassed our goal for 2023,” says Alicia Chapman, executive director of the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation. “Thanks to all who made our holiday tradition part of theirs. Throughout the years, Festival has raised millions and changed countless lives by expanding access to high-quality, child-centered care.”

The holiday tradition of Festival brings people together to support kids like Claire who graciously shared her cancer story with guests. Throughout her treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Claire relied on donor-supported services such as child life, facility dog Olaf and massage therapy. In August 2023, she completed her cancer treatment.

Seeing the forest for the trees

There wasn’t a lumberjack in the crowd, yet some trees were split in two in the spirit of friendly competition.

A bidding war on the dazzling Make it Fabulous tree, which included a private jet to Napa Valley for eight people, ended with two winning bids — each for $80,000. The package also included private wine tastings, dinner at The French Laundry and accommodations at the Estate at Yountville. It was this year’s highest tree bid.

“I’m beyond grateful for the community’s unwavering support through gifts of both time and resources that made this year’s Festival and the construction of our new hospital campus possible,” says Jeff Poltawsky, president and market leader of MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network. “The outpouring of support ensures that children in our region will have steadily improving access to world-class health care, regardless of their medical or family’s financial situation.”

Festival of Trees includes three trees that remain on campus for patients and visitors to enjoy throughout the holiday season. One of those unique trees, Gifts from Above, is an elaborate display in the MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital lobby.

Sheldon Arkin, retired MultiCare master gardener, has dreamt up more than 50 trees since joining Festival in 1991. This year’s forest display represents his crowning jewel and final design.

Santa checks his lists twice next to a spritely elf tree and dinosaur tree, while the tallest of the bunch conducts a glittering ray of silver stars and presents showering from Santa’s sleigh overhead. The display is a nod to Arkin’s past trees.

A tree on display in the Mary Bridge Children’s Outpatient Center – Tacoma lobby is Noah’s Ark. The display, decorated by Mary Bridge Children’s administrators, honors former Mary Bridge Children’s oncology patient Noah.

Noah died after courageously fighting brain cancer, but his strength and courage live on to inspire others, say his parents Kyle and Kara. Noah’s tree is an animal lover’s delight and includes a Disney Cruise or stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as airfare on Alaska Airlines and a behind-the-scenes wildlife encounter at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.

Festival of Trees is organized by the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation in partnership with the Mary Bridge Brigade. The Brigade is the hospital’s largest donor and — over its 102-year history — has raised more than $50 million for Mary Bridge Children’s programs, including $10 million for the new hospital campus opening in 2026.

This year’s events were made possible by presenting sponsors Amerigroup, E9 Brewing Co., John L. Scott Foundation, Tom & Meg Names Family Foundation and Trouvés Health Care Corporation. For more information, visit the Festival of trees website or contact Festival staff.