SALISBURY — Partners In Learning announced that the re-launch of the Festival of Trees fundraising event was a tremendous success.  Through the support of visitors andguests, Partners In Learning raised more than $6,000 for the Dr. Shirley P. Ritchie scholarship fund,which helps provide educational and clinical services and equipment for children. The long held tradition was first hosted by the Arc of Rowan many years ago. After the COVID pandemic, the local Arc branch went through restructuring at the state level, causing it to not be able to return to the event. Early in the year, the Arc engaged Partners In Learning in a conversation to bring back the event.

“Partners In Learning’s mission closely resembles the work of the ARC so we knew they would be the perfect organization to pass this tradition to,” said Shela Sapp of the Arc. “Making the decision to find a new home for The Arc Festival ofTrees was a very difficult one to make. But after attending the Preview Party, I know that thistransition was meant to be.  “I was so pleased to see sponsors and decorators that supported thisevent for The Arc, continuing the tradition with Partners In Learning. It makes my heart happy tosee this wonderful tradition continue. To know that this event will assist programs for childrenwith intellectual and developmental disabilities at Partners in Learning is wonderful.”Partners In Learning Development Director Amy Vestal added, “We were honored to be invited to take on this tradition, knowing that individuals with disabilities would continue to get the support they needed through this fundraising event. This event comes with lots of love and memories, and was a really large event with many moving parts. “When we took on this re-launch we knew we would need to scale down our first year to ensure it’s success. When doing so, we also took the opportunity to add new traditions to this event, including expanding our outreach to include other childcare centers in our community.”

During opening weekend, Partners In Learning welcomed more than 200 people and the festivities continued all week long.  “We were especially excited to collaborate with Smart Start Rowan, who brought Mrs. Claus to read ‘How to Catch a Gingerbread Man’ to children and families,” Vestal said. “The children also got a surprise visit from the Gingerbread Man and created gingerbread ornaments to take home. This event touched the lives of 144 children in our community.  In addition to the many volunteers who decorated the trees, Partners In Learning had the supportof over 60 volunteers who helped to ensure this event ran smoothly including those who helpedwith organizing and setting up the trees, helping with opening weekend festivities, and SmartStart Rowan, which volunteered to help with engaging local child care centers in the festivities.  “It was truly amazing to see how many people came together to ensure the re-launch of the Festivalof Trees was a success,” Vestal said. “There are lots of moving parts and details to this event, and without theirhelp, we could not have pulled it off.”

Partners In Learning Board and Committee Chair Celia Jarrett added, “ It was a joy to meet and share the newfacility with our community. I am grateful to our creative community tree decorators andsponsors who brought smiles with their creations and to the ARC, Novant and Smart StartRowan who helped bring back this loved event.”  The facility’s executive director, Norma Honeycutt, called the funds raised to support the mission as just the icing on the cake.  “The Festival of Trees was a great way to kick off the holiday season,” Honeycutt said. “It was truly heartwarmingto see the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they explored the Festival of Trees. “We are incredibly grateful tothe community for their overwhelming support; without them, the event would not have been possible. The Festival of Trees is a reminder of the power of community. It is a testament to thegenerosity and kindness of people who come together to make a difference.”

According to Vestal, sponsorships from Novant Health, St. John’s Child Development Center, The Medicine Shoppe, Moose Pharmacy, Salisbury Pride, Heather Fidler, Beth and Glenn Dixon, Kathy and Dennis Ingold, Celia and Steve Jarrett, Salisbury Academy, Rowan Master Gardeners, Scared Heart Catholic School, Understanding Your Dog LLC and Still Wood Pond Retreat and Studio made the event possible. “We would like to thank our many volunteers who decorated the trees to their magnificent glory,” Vestal said. “Thank you for making this year’s Festival of Trees such a huge success.”