By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
The Festival of Trees returned to the Tulalip Resort Casino on Friday, December 5, bringing together nearly 500 community members for an evening centered on generosity and compassion. What began in 1986 as a small holiday fundraiser has grown into one of the region’s most important charitable traditions, supporting essential programs that provide care, safety, and hope throughout Snohomish County.
One of the key programs funded through the event is PICAA, the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse. PICAA plays a vital role in the community, offering forensic examinations, trauma-informed medical care, counseling, advocacy, and ongoing support for children and adults who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, or severe physical abuse. For many survivors, PICAA is the first safe space they encounter after trauma, and the Festival of Trees helps ensure the program has the resources needed to continue its life-changing work.
Providence has long leaned on partnerships like this event to lift programs that traditional healthcare budgets cannot fully sustain. Funds raised through the Festival of Trees enable Providence caregivers to expand specialized services, enhance emergency response capabilities, and ensure that families receive compassionate care regardless of their circumstances. Year after year, the event underscores the power of a community when it chooses to invest in health, healing, and safety.
This year’s generosity reached a remarkable milestone. By the end of the night, attendees had raised $1,216,895. Each beautifully decorated tree, each bid placed, and each quiet act of giving lit the room with the same warmth and brightness that the holiday season is known for.
As the evening drew to a close, the message remained steady and clear, The Festival of Trees is more than a festive gathering, it is a commitment to the people who rely on Providence’s programs, a celebration of community support, and a reminder that charity shines brightest when it comes straight from the heart.