Trees Of Dreams Lavishly Decorated Christmas Trees Will Be Raffled Off In Major Fund-Raising Events In The Area.

Perhaps it’s a testament to the power of positive visualization.

Diana Daum so adored the Disney tree at the 1993 Christmas Tree Elegance that she snapped a photo of it at a preview party.

“I’m going to win that tree,” she declared.

A few days later, she got the call. Soon she and her children, wearing Mickey Mouse ears, were driving in from Hayden Lake to pick up their tree. By March they were swimming in the pool at the Caribbean Beach Motel in Orlando, Fla.

Joyce Martz of Spokane was pregnant in 1994, the year she spotted the “Home for the Holidays” tree, with its entertainment center and its overstuffed chair.

“In my mind’s eye, I was seeing my 3-year-old sitting in the chair watching ‘The Muppet Movie’ on the TV,” says Martz. “It was like this real cozy picture in my mind’s eye.”

Sure enough. She’ll be dragging that tree out of the neighbor’s basement to set it up again this Christmas.

“It’s still amazing,” Martz says. “I still kind of pinch myself.”

It’s the season again when Inland Northwest charities create lavish Christmas tree events, and lucky winners and auction-bidders walk away with the trees of their dreams.

This year the Spokane Symphony Associates will sponsor Christmas Tree Elegance Sunday through Dec. 6 at the Crescent Court Ballroom in downtown Spokane.

Two additional benefits, both called Festival of Trees, will be sponsored by the Deaconess and Valley Healthcare Foundation and the Kootenai Medical Center Foundation. The Deaconess event will be at the Spokane Valley Red Lion Inn Saturday through Tuesday and Kootenai’s benefit will be at The Coeur d’Alene Resort today through Monday.

These are major fund-raisers. The symphony hopes to raise $120,000 and the two hospitals look for $80,000 apiece.

A fourth event, the Fry Healthcare Foundation’s Festival of Trees, will be Dec. 6 - 7 at the Bonners Ferry Armory. Organizers hope to make $10,000 for the Boundary Community Hospital urgent care department in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

Ten trees decorated with lavish gifts will be raffled off at Christmas Tree Elegance. Most of the trees at the hospital events are auctioned or sold outright.

This year at Christmas Tree Elegance, special gifts, such as a $7,000 trip to Syndey, Australia, will also be auctioned.

Auction items require serious cash. But stories abound of people who bought a single $1 raffle ticket at the symphony benefit and won a tree more fabulous than Santa’s.

For the average person, these events are a chance for serendipity.

Lauren Wittstruck, a Spokane homemaker, bought $25 worth of raffle tickets at Christmas Tree Elegance three years ago and won a trip to Rome.

Last year, she invested $20. It was Austria this time.

“Everyone says we’re going to come over and rub your head for luck,” Wittstruck says.

Former Christmas Tree Elegance winners are certain of this much: Nothing beats that after-midnight phone call announcing that you’ve won.

Linda Carter received the call at the close of Christmas Tree Elegance ‘94.

“I said, ‘We’re going to Vegas!”’ recalls Carter, a victim witness specialist at the Spokane County prosecutor’s office. “Only we didn’t go to Vegas. It was to London, Paris and Rome. It’s still hard to believe it right now.”

Symphony event

The Spokane Symphony’s Christmas Tree Elegance begins Sunday with a tree preview from noon to 8 p.m. at the Crescent Court Ballroom. Admission is $2.50, free for children under 12 who are accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available at the door.

Holiday luncheons and fashion shows will be Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $30.

A Taste of Elegance cocktail party will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $30, and include a light buffet. There will be a no-host bar.

The gala dinner dance will be Dec. 6, beginning with a champagne reception at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30. Tickets are $100.

The luncheons, cocktail party and dinner/dance require reservations. Call 326-3136.

Valley festival

The Deaconess and Valley Healthcare Foundation Festival of Trees begins with a children’s day Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Red Lion Inn at I-90 and Sullivan. This event continues Sunday.

Admission is $2, $1 for children 3 to 12; children under 3 get in for free. Tickets are available at the door.

“Puttin’ on the Glitz,” a gala dinner dance, will be Saturday evening. Tickets are $65.

Fashion shows will be presented Monday and Tuesday at noon and Monday at 5 p.m. The luncheon events cost $27, and the evening show, which includes a pasta bar, is $18. Call 922-9489.

Kootenai

The Kootenai Medical Center Foundation Festival of Trees begins at 5:30 tonight with a preview called “Friday de Lights at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.” Admission is $2; $1 for children.

A country Christmas dance will follow at 8:30 tonight. Admission is $10.

A special event for senior citizens will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Admission is $3.

The festival gala dinner dance at 6 p.m. Saturday evening is already sold out. Decorated trees may be purchased at the dance.

A family day on Sunday will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with $1 admission. A holiday fashion show luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday. Admission is $25.

For tickets, call (208) 666-TREE (8733).

Bonners Ferry event

The Fry Healthcare Foundation’s Festival of Trees begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Bonners Ferry (Idaho) Armory. Santa’s Open House will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission for both events is $2 per person; $5 per family.

The event benefits the Boundary County Hospital’s urgent care department.

The auction and gala will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7. Tickets are $15 per person; $25 per couple.

For tickets, call (208) 267-7126.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 3 color photos