All is calm, all is bright: Providence Christmas in the Forest 2022

Since 1988, Providence in South Puget Sound has provided an annual opportunity for businesses, groups and individuals to sponsor, decorate and bid on gloriously crafted Christmas trees and other items in support of health care initiatives.

This year, Christmas in the Forest is back in person for the first time since 2019! Events include a gala dinner/auction on Friday, Dec. 2 and public viewings on Dec. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake. For all the information, including the public viewing schedule and kids’ activities, go to www.provforest.org

Each year, the Southwest Washington Foundation Board selects the recipient of the fund-a-need, where gala attendees raise their paddles to support a specific program. This year’s fund-a-need will support the Providence Oncology Patient Navigators. Past fund-a-need programs have included:

  • Providence St. Peter Hospital Respite Care Program
  • Providence Sexual Assault Clinic
  • Providence Hospice Services
  • Providence Paw-Assisted Wellness Services
  • And many, many more.

The event would not be possible without the support of some many generous local businesses in the community. Platinum sponsors for 2022 include Radia, Sitecrafting Design & Development, Harbor Foods, and Gabrielle & Darin Goss.  Of particular note, Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic RealtyFrost & Co, and Olympia Federal Savings have been a sponsor of Christmas in the Forest for all 35 years, since 1988. Honorable mentions go to Heritage BankPort Blakely, and The Rants Group, each for sponsoring close to 30 years. “We are grateful to these local businesses, plus the countless others that have supported the Forest over the years, said Stacey Genzlinger, events manager for the Providence Southwest Washington Foundation.