PROVIDENCE SEASIDE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION "FESTIVAL OF TREES"
- DESPITE DELAY - CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW RECORD

Dec. 18, 2007

SEASIDE, Ore. - Despite the obstacles that a winter storm placed in the way, the Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees was a rousing success. The storm forced a one-week delay for the festival's 10th anniversary celebration, which was hosted Dec. 15 by KPTV meteorologist Mark Nelsen. The event's original founders, Nancy Daggatt and Celine McEwan, were also on hand as some 800 attendees wandered through a forest of spectacular Christmas trees at the Seaside Convention Center throughout the day and evening.

"I think that after a week of hard labor cleaning up storm debris, most of Clatsop County needed a joyful break," explained Leslie Shepherd, director of the Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation. "With the wonderful generosity of the people in our community, we set a new record for the festival, raising more than $100,000." Shepherd said those donations will help provide health care for those who need it most.

No one knew how the storm would affect the event - but enthusiastic employees, volunteers, auxiliary members, and foundation board members rose to the challenge. They were assisted by community members and members of the Providence Health & Services family from the Portland and Newberg areas.

A portion of the evening's proceeds will benefit the "Providence Cares" fund, which provides health care for the poor and vulnerable in our community, some of whom were deeply affected by last week's storm. The other portion, matched dollar for dollar by the foundation, will be used to purchase a digital mammography unit for the hospital's Diagnostic Imaging Department.

2007 Festival of Trees Gallery

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Providence Seaside Hospital Foundation raises funds on behalf of the hospital. These funds are used for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Recent contributions to the hospital have helped fund physician recruitment, development of the hospital's community newsletter, and support for Providence Community Care low-cost clinic. Visit the foundation's Web site at providence.org/northcoast/foundation.