MI-Dearborn-Festival of Trees, November 20-28, 2004

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TKvanB
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501st Legion ID: 9989
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MI-Dearborn-Festival of Trees, November 20-28, 2004

Post by TKvanB »

Name of Event:
"Festival of Trees" holiday fundraising effort benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Detroit

Date: November 20-28, 2004

Place:
Ford Conference and Event Center
1151 Village Road
Dearborn, Michigan

Coordinator/Point of Contact:

Midewst Garrison members who contributed to the project include:

Steve Brejnak TK465
Chris Brown TK3829
Carolyn Brown IC6156
Barry Hodge TK1421
Belinda Hodge ID1241
Donavon Larabel TX338
Jon Leopold TK5037
Susie Leopold IC/IS7305
Jim Nieciecki TK1139
Rome Ohnui TI1800
Cherie Plevek TS1039
Dan Provost TI5925
Jon & Donna Redman TB3999
Roger Rehman TK866
Jay Shimko TS130
Kyle Wellman TX180

Pictures located at:

TBA

Summary write up:

Members of the Midwest Garrison - Michigan Squad presented their entry, a Star Wars-themed Christmas tree, for the 20th annual "Festival of Trees" www.fot.org/ at the Preview Gala held Saturday evening, November 20, 2004.
Members of the Midwest Garrison were on hand in costume to show both their love for Star Wars and their holiday spirit while they sent their Star Wars Christms tree creation.
Festival of Trees is a public display of more than 100 professionally designed holiday trees, Santa, and more.
All of the trees were auctioned off at the conclusion of the show. Proceeds from this annual fundraising event benefit Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

The group's Star Wars tree received 3rd place in the over-all competition.
Our members were very surprised. They were not aware that there was a competition involved.
The auction price of the Star Wars Tree started at $1,500 and was determined by the Festival of Trees Staff at the Gala opening on Saturday, November 20th.
The tree is seven feet tall with an intended theme of "Original Trilogy". The idea behind the decorations is the nostalgia. Many of the (original 1970's) original trilogy figures have been gleaned from the collections of the members involved in the project. Many of these toys have seen years of play. Newer reissues of the original trilogy figures and a few prequel character figures are also included. An assortment of Imperial ships adorn the tree. Members included small pictures of themselves in costume in silver frames as other unique ornaments. The tree skirt is made from an original Star Wars bed sheet to add to the nostalgic flavor. At last count there were 3,700 blue, white, gold, and purple lights on the tree. Many glass ornaments have been 'Imperialized' with Imperial cog decals. Other customized Star Wars ornaments include a motorized biker-scout-on-a-stick that was created by Steve Brejnak of Michigan. It spins, hanging suspended off of the tree trunk, to give the illusion of the repulsorlift. Jedi Master 'Santa' Yoda was a motion-activated toy that was converted by Chris and Carolyn Brown of Michigan, into an illuminated tree topper complete with a bag of toys and gift-wrapped present underneath.
In any case, the garrison members' efforts with this project and love of Star Wars nostalgia had certainly brightened many people's holiday.
At the close of the close of the Festival of Trees event on November 28th, the Midwest Garrison members' Star Wars Christmas tree sold for $2,000.00 ! :D
The tree was able to make someone's holiday season a very special one.
All proceeds from the sale benefit the Children's Hospital of Michigan.


Kathy van Beuningen
Midwest Garrison CO
www.midwestgarrison.com
Last edited by TKvanB on Sat Jul 07, 2007 1:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
TKvanB
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MWG Member
Posts: 12792
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2001 8:48 pm
501st Legion ID: 9989
Location: Chicago

Post by TKvanB »

Here's a nice little mention of this event that appeared in the Star Wars Insider, Issue #80(March 2005)

Image
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The Midwest Garrison, proudly serving the 501st Legion since 1999.

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