Festival of Trees fundraiser has holiday spirit for homeless

When it comes to symbols of Christmas, towering, twinkling fir trees help make winter festive.

South County Outreach wants people without a home or a tree to receive gifts of food and shelter for the holidays and beyond. So the Irvine-based nonprofit is presenting its inaugural Festival of Trees fundraising event, adorning the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach with decorated trees to serve as centerpieces for a Gold and Silver Reception on Dec. 4.

The trees are embellished in different themes and are on display through Dec. 4 at the Fairmont, 4500 MacArthur Blvd. The trees will be auctioned at the reception, and winning bidders will have them delivered to their homes or businesses.

The public is invited to take donations of toys to the Fairmont, where a collection area will be set up through Dec. 18.

“The Festival of Trees reminds us that without a home, there is no place for a Christmas tree,” South County Outreach Executive Director Lara Fisher said in a statement. “We are excited to partner with the Fairmont Newport Beach to raise funds to support homeless families through the auction of these beautiful trees.”

For more information, visit www.sco-oc.org/sco-events/fot or call (949) 380-8144.

--Kathleen Luppi