Delaware Hospice Festival of Trees again a successful event

Delaware Hospice got into the holiday spirit with its Festival of Trees held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The event lasted three nights, Dec. 7, 8 and 9, and was made possible by the efforts of Peggy Dolby, assistant director of development for Delaware Hospice, and many volunteers.

This year’s Festival of Trees featured 32 trees and 36 wreaths, most of which were sponsored by local organizations and individuals. Dolby said it was the biggest turnout for sponsorships yet. Most of the trees will be donated to various locations around Sussex County. One tree, decked in a baby theme and sponsored by Perdue Farms, was donated to the Neonatal Center at Beebe Medical Center.

Other sponsors included Sussex County Council, MedTix LLC, Delaware Today, BayHealth, John Ward and the Eastern Sussex Republicans Club.

In addition to the trees, there were several other attractions, such as a silent auction, live auction, raffles, sweets shop and handmade crafts. The food was all donated by local restaurants like Big Fish Grill, Bethany Blues, Nage and Mac’s Catering.

The Festival of Trees has been an annual event for Delaware Hospice since 1987. The Sussex County event was held in Georgetown at Delaware Tech’s Owen Campus until a couple of years ago. The transition was rocky at first, with a drop-off in attendance from residents in western Sussex County.

Regina Hansen, a volunteer with Delaware Hospice who handles rallying other volunteers for events, kept an optimistic attitude. “The Rehoboth community is very active; they really enjoy going out,” she said. That doesn’t mean residents from the western side of the county are forgotten. Hansen is from Laurel and says she canvassed businesses up and down Route 13 to participate.

Hansen has been volunteering for Delaware Hospice since 2009, when her husband passed away and the organization helped her overcome her grief by connecting her to the support she needed. She is always happy to help in any way she can.

“I am indebted to them for the rest of my life as far as I’m concerned,” Hansen said.

Colleen Wright is another Delaware Hospice volunteer who contributed to the Festival of Trees. Wright made a wall hanging to donate to the event, a fabric Christmas tree to fit the theme of the event.

Wright recalls a poem she wrote which was in her mind as she crafted the hanging. “Every piece a prayer, every stitch a hug, made with love,” are her sentiments to those who need hospice care.

At one point, Wright crafted a quilt which sold at a fundraising auction for Delaware Hospice for $700. She said she couldn’t give them that much money, but she can help them through her crafts.

“I am not a religious person,” Wright said, “but this is something that feeds my soul.”