Community: Celebrating the Festival of Trees

Burbank resident Sylvia Kowal and her family continued their tradition of spending the day at the 38th annual Festival of Trees presented in early December by Assistance League of Glendale. Christmas trees and other specialty decorations, created by members and supporters, were on display around the ballroom of the Hilton in Glendale.

Kowal’s nieces Nicole and Pam Rudkin attended the event and Pam Rudkin took home the table decoration titled “Santa as the Decorator,” featuring Santa climbing a ladder to apply decorations to a Christmas tree. A bonus that came with it was a check for $300.

“Pam was really surprised!” Kowal said. “She had the decoration in the living room this Christmas and I had made the display check and she is keeping it as a souvenir also.”

A former art and home economics teacher at Toll Middle School, Kowal created the artwork for the festival’s invitation and program and made the display signs.

Also attending from Burbank was Natalie Abrahamian and her son and daughter-in-law, David and Kelli Abrahamian.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the league’s charitable endeavors, such as providing backpacks for foster children, school clothes for needy children, SAT seminars for high school students and monthly luncheons for senior adults.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.