Catholic Charities Annual Fundraiser The Festival of Trees

Welcome to the

26th Annual Saratoga Festival of Trees

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, December 1

Preview Reception: $75 each, under 35, $60. Call 518-587-5000

Thursday, December 2 Friday, December 3 Saturday, December 4 Sunday, December 5

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

4:00 – 9:00 p.m. 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.

SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY CENTER

Let the season begin!

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe another year has passed and we are now planning for the 26th Festival of Trees. When we greatly modified last year’s event, we had hoped that this year we would return to “normal” and enjoy all the activities the Festival has to offer. However, though we have made some progress in mitigating the pandemic, we are still experiencing the spread of COVID and continue to stand before an uncertain future. So once again we need to make sound decisions for the Festival that protect our volunteers, our Festival go-ers and friends, while providing a safe, enjoyable event. Happily, we will have the Preview Reception on opening night this year. There will be the usual display of beautifully decorated trees, wreathes and centerpieces. The small items will once again be “cash and carry.” However, the Family Day Activities – Breakfast with Santa and the crafting activities will not take place. We will have the Holiday Store and raffle items. As disappointing as that this is for all of us, we need to keep our children safe. The Festival of Trees heralds the beginning of the holiday season in our Saratoga community and is the agency’s major fundraiser. Funds raised help to support the crucial services so needed in the tri-county area during these challenging times. The needs of our neighbors have grown dramatically and will continue to do so in the near future. Thank you in advance for supporting the mission of Catholic Charities and the Festival of Trees.

Now more than ever our communities need us, and we need you.

Sister Charla Commins, Executive Director Earline Johnson and Bruce O’Connell, Event Chairs

Honorary Committee

Michael & Stacie Arpey Diana M. Burke Catholic Charities Diocese of Albany Rev. Thomas H. Chevalier Linda & Vince Colonno Kerry & John Conley Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Coseo Kathleen & Tom Cosmus Fran Dingeman Sharon & Stan Drosky Anita Dunn Claudette M. Farchione Linda Healy Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard Nancy & Michael Ingersoll Kathleen A. James Earline Johnson Chris & Christin Mason Ralph Musella & Kathy Blazo Michael & Kate Naughton Anne Marthy Noonan Jim & Alison Norton Madge & Bruce O’Connell Kim & Keith Pacheco Chrissy & Cliff Passen Kathleen Phelps Michele & Mark Phillips Helen Porter Ann Seton Quinn David & Deborah Quinn Norma M. Quinn Tracy A. Quinn Carol & Larry Raike Kristie & Tom Roohan Dave & Chris Stack Linda & Michael Toohey

Catholic Charities, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Albany, is committed to active witness on behalf of the Scriptural values of mercy and justice. Catholic Charities, recognizing human need at all stages of life, responds to all persons regardless of race, creed or lifestyle, with special emphasis on the economically poor and the vulnerable. Catholic Charities serves and empowers persons in need, advocates for a just society, calls forth and collaborates with women and men of good will in fulfillment of its mission. Providing Help... Creating Hope...

Programs & Services Offered by Catholic Charities

Each year Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties serves over 5,000 people in the Tri-county region through the following programs.

COUNSELING

Individual, couple and family counseling -Intake, assessment and treatment of a range of individual and interpersonal issues provided by Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT OF WARREN & WASHINGTON COUNTIES

Full range of services to victims of domestic violence and their children

MARY'S HAVEN

A community home for the dying serving persons with irreversible illness who no longer can remain safely in their homes. Holistic hospice care is provided to address the resident's physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES for Saratoga County Head Start children and their families.

SARATOGA MENTORING PROGRAM

Prevention/diversion program impacting youth's academic, social and emotional milieu. Mentors commit to a minimum of two hours a week with their mentee. Family support services are also available. NOEP (Nutrition Outreach Education Program) serving Warren County, assisting families to apply for SNAP (formerly food stamps), recertification, advocacy with DSS and outreach and public presentations are available.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Assistance with concrete basic needs (food, rent, medication, automobile expenses, etc.) where needed and feasible. Programs and services are available to anyone in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties, always accompanied by information, referral and advocacy as needed. Individuals are never refused services because of their inability to pay.

Administrative Offices:

142 Regent Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 518-587-5000

North County:

35 Broad Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 518-793-6212

PRESIDENT

Bruce O'Connell

VICE PRESIDENT

Jim Norton

TREASURER

Paul von Schenk

SECRETARY

Pam Stiansen

BOARD MEMBERS

Fran Dingeman, Earline Johnson, Christin Mason, Kim Pacheco, Carol Raike, Steven Stockdale