Giving Joy Travis 13th Annual Tree Auction biggest ever By Ellen Hatfield, 349th AMW public affairs “People aren’t remembered for what they had. They’re remembered for what they gave.” --Zachary Fisher All was merry and bright, with a glittering array of holiday trees and more, for the 13th annual Travis Air Force Base Holiday Tree Festival and Silent Auction Nov. 21. The base comes together with local community partners each year to decorate and then donate trees, baskets of gifts and more, to benefit the Travis Fisher House I and now, the new Fisher House II. The auction takes place in the 60th Maintenance Group atrium, the perfect backdrop for the event. In the weeks prior, the various squadrons claim window space, and craft hand-painted holiday scenes to celebrate the season. They ran the gamut from silly to sentimental to the traditional. There was one of internet sensation “Grumpy Cat” in a Santa hat, Charlie Brown and the “Peanuts” gang with the iconic tree, a stained glass window, Santa in a sleigh pulled by tiny Travis aircraft, and a mystical white forest filled with delicate snowflakes, falling day and night. I studied art, fashion design and music for many years. I’ve been a poet and writer for about 50, but I was awed, and delighted, at the creativity, energy and work that went into the themed trees, the baskets, handmade ornaments and other items. No two trees were alike, even the two decorated with a “Frozen” movie theme. There was an “O Canada” tree, a day at the zoo tree, a Disney themed tree with Mickey Mouse on top, and a pamper your pets tree, with goodies for your furry best friend. There was a California sports teams tree, a Night in Las Vegas tree, and a New Year’s Eve party tree for 25 of your friends or family to share with you. Swept up not only by the fun, but the intent of the auction, I took home one of two clever, but simple “Upcycled” trees, spray painted on a wooden pallet and decorated. In the spirit of things, Travis Golden Bear, and Honorary Commanders alumni Stan Davis, bid on, and won, five trees, which he promptly gave away. The Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee also joined in the bidding wars, and the Travis Federal Credit Union donated $10,000 to the cause. At the end of the evening, between the generosity of those inside, and outside the gates of Travis, $30,000 was raised for the Fisher Houses here.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 23:39:39 +0000
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