Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2021

20 A successful virtual debut By Devin Weeks The 32 nd annual Festival of Trees was a successful three-day event that connected Kootenai Health Foundation supporters across northern Idaho and beyond. From living rooms, hotel suites and small private viewing parties, generous event attendees and Foundation friends raised a gross total of $434,285 through sponsorships and tickets, tree purchases, raffle tickets, auctions, and other festival activities. This amount has been matched dollar for dollar by Michael and Iris Smith, part-time Coeur d’Alene residents with huge hearts for hospitals across the country. Together, more than $868,000 was generated for the Health Care Heroes Fund, which supports health care workers on the COVID-19 frontlines and the patients they care for in the midst of a global pandemic. These funds will help pay for personal protective equipment, a COVID-19 testing analyzer, telehealth equipment, iPads for isolated patients to visit with their families, more patient beds and a special fund to help hospital employees experiencing financial hardships, among other needs. The Festival Gala was enjoyed remotely through nearly 200 unique logins spanning all the way to Florida. Many guests dressed up for the occasion as they celebrated from afar. Charismatic hosts Rose Backs and Justin Schorzman emceed the evening from the Hagadone Event Center, where the dazzling trees were on limited display this year. The gala was sponsored by Mountain West Bank. “The Kootenai Health Foundation team did a fantastic job putting this event together and pulling it off,” said Mountain West Bank CEO Scott Anderson, who participated in the gala with wife Jennifer from a room in The Coeur d’Alene Resort. “It was wonderful to be able to hold the event, celebrate our Health Care Heroes and raise funds for the hospital foundation,” he said. “Mountain West Bank is certainly proud to continue our support of this important event.” Festival Trees Sweet on You Designs decorating team, from left: Katy Bodman, Elizabeth Anderson, Kimberly Cole and Jennifer Puckett. Miranda Hamilton, left, and Scarlett Kelso. Sharon and Richard Shutts. OF