This year the theme of the FOTL is “Heart of the Holiday”.  At the beginning of the year, DSOSN held a contest for a tagline to go along with the heart theme.  The winner was DSOSN member Kelley Bigger, whose child Sidney has Down syndrome.  Her tagline was “May Your Hearts Be Filled With Joy”.  Kelley won tickets to the Festival Gala.  Congratulations Kelley!

2009 Festival Details

HONOREES

The 2009 Festival Committee voted to honor the following individuals for their many years of dedication and support of DSOSN:

• Dr. Wes Robertson – Sunshine Valley Pediatrics
• Stan and Susan Wasserkrug
• Renee Shoemaker and parents Dale & Jeanette

COMMITTEE

• Event Co-Chairs:  John and Shelley Rhodes
• Tree Chair:  Sue Covey
• Basket & Stocking Chair:  Sandy Windom
• Wreath Chair:  Jennifer Kissell
• Menorah Chair:  Fran Feldman
• Logistics Chair:  Cathy Wescott
• Auction/Registration Chair: Fran Feldman
• Sponsorship Chair:  Rita DeSimone
• Progam Chair:  Brittney Melnick
• Staff:  Deann Cline, Jim Stewart

MASTER OF CEREMONIES: John Daley

AUCTIONEER: Christian Kolberg

ENTERTAINMENT: To Be Announced

Festival History:

The Festival is the premier Las Vegas holiday event of the season and, more importantly, is the largest fundraising event for the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada. It is a beautifully presented black-tie gala that includes cocktails, dinner, entertainment and auctions.The Festival of Trees and Lights features a black tie dinner and an impressive holiday display of the most beautifully decorated designer trees,wreaths and holiday baskets you will ever have the pleasure of viewing.

The Festival began 21 years ago as a dream for a handful of parents of children with Down syndrome.  We are so excited to be celebrating this milestone in DSOSN history of our 20th Festival Trees & Lights Gala. DSOSN and FESTIVAL FOUNDERS saw the festival as a way to raise money to fund the services the Organization already provides, and also increase the possibility of expanding the programs and services to satisfy the growing needs.  Not only does it serve as the major fundraiser for the Organization, but it also gives back to the community, and increases awareness of Down syndrome. It truly has become over the years one of most looked forward to events of the season and is attended by some of our most prominent and influential residents.

The hundreds of attendees have this unique opportunity to bid on these displays and have them delivered to their home and businesses.Tree Designers (individuals, corporations, businesses) decorate  holiday trees provided by the Organization.  Designers then chose a theme for their tree, decorate it and put gifts underneath.  The designers can provide the decorations and gifts or receive donations for them.  The trees (and wreaths and baskets) are then bid on by attendees and the winning bid is sold to the highest bidder.There are approximately 30 trees or more each year.  All of the trees are part of the silent auction except for the three – five trees which are held in secrecy for the live auction during the magnificent dinner.   Decorated trees with gifts have auctioned for as much as $15,000.00!

HERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS THAT YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL OF TREES AND LIGHTS:

• Become a Sponsor.  There are various levels of sponsorship opportunities available
• Donate product(s) and service(s) from your business towards the auctions
• Become an Event Volunteer
• Purchase Ticket(s) or Table(s) to the event and come have a wonderful time!
• Be a Tree, Wreath, Basket, Stocking or Menorah Designer
• Purchase an ad in the Program Book

FORMS TO DOWNLOAD:

Below are all the forms you can download to participate in the Festival including a 2009 Informational Brochure, Sponsorship Opportunites, various Response Forms and all the forms needed to be a tree, wreath, basket, stocking or Menorah designer. Please call the DSOSN office at 702-648-1990 and ask for Deann if you don’t see what you need here.  We can also hard mail you any of the forms you see below.

Click here to download the 2009 Spring Festival Newsletter

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Letterhead (blank)

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Sponsorship Opportunities

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Sponsorship Response Form

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Informational Brochure

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Condensed Response Form

Click here to download the 2009 Designer Contract Form (Must be completed by all tree, basket, stocking, wreath and menorah designers

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Tree Gift Information Form (In Word for you to expand/edit table)

Click here to download the 2009 Festival Tree Gift Information Form (PDF)

Click here to download the 2009 Tree History Storyboard Form (In Word for you to expand/edit)

Click here to download the 2009 Tree History Storyboard Form (PDF)

Click here to download the 2009 TOTAL VALUE Tree Form (In Word)

Click here to download the 2009 TOTAL VALUE Tree Form (PDF)

Click here to download the 2009 Basket, Stocking, Menorah Gift Information Form (In Word for you to expand/edit)

Click here to download the 2009 Basket, Stocking, Menorah Gift Information Form (PDF)

Click here to download the 2009 Designer Handbook

Click here to download the Designer Tree Gift Solicitation Letter (In Word for you to edit)

Click here to download the Designer Tree Gift Solicitation Letter (PDF)

Click here to download the Designer Tree Gift Response Form

Click here to download the Designer Ledger Form (can be used to keep track of your gifts/donations)

Click here to