HANDY’S FESTIVAL OF TREES AT GALLERIA MALL

2ND ANNUAL HANDY’S FESTIVAL OF TREES BROUGHT HOLIDAY CHEER TO THE GALLERIA AT FORT LAUDERDALE

Local businesses, community partners and charities came together for the 2nd annual HANDY’S Festival of Trees, raising more than $10,000. 24 uniquely adorned trees, donated by Hayes Farms, were decorated to be auctioned off to the highest bidders.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s event, which brought together several local businesses and community organizations to raise money for a variety of important causes,” said Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY. “The proceeds raised will enable HANDY to embrace, educate and empower vulnerable youth, as well as support our charity partners’ missions.”

Attendees of the holiday-inspired reception enjoyed complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, musical entertainment and a silent auction. The highlight of this community effort was the enjoyment of viewing the beautifully decorated 7 – 8’ trees.

A panel of esteemed judges, including Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Mark Corbett, associate publisher at Gold Coast Magazine, Stacy Ostrau, publisher of Society Scene, Sheriff Scott Israel of the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Kelly Blanco, traffic reporter at WTVJ (NBC6), selected “O Claus-enbaum” presented by Young Professionals for Covenant House and “All That Glitters” presented by Kids In Distress as the joint winners of a $1,000 donation.

Other participating not-for-profit organizations included Bonnet House Alliance, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County (DeGeorge), Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club, Island Paws Rescue, The Pantry of Broward, Voices for Children of Broward benefiting Florida Guardian ad Litem and United Way of Broward County | Mission United.

HANDY’S Festival of Trees was sponsored in part by A Slice of Art, American Society of Interior Designers, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Community Bank of Broward, Christmas Couture, Florida Atlantic University, Gold Coast Magazine, Goodman Public Relations, GrayRobinson, P.A., Havana Coffee and Tea, Hayes Farms, J. Alexander’s, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Macy’s, Marsha and Alan Levy, McCormick Distilling, Moss Construction, New River Child Care Learning Center, OK Generators, Resolve Marine Group, Royalty Catering, Tom Mitchell of TM Designs and The Wildgoose Family.
A panel of esteemed judges, including Stacy Ostrau, publisher of Society Scene, Sheriff Scott Israel of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Kelly Blanco, traffic reporter at WTVJ (NBC6) and Mark Corbett, associate publisher at Gold Coast Magazine, selected “O Claus-enbaum” presented by Young Professionals for Covenant House as one of the winning trees

About HANDY
HANDY’s mission is to embrace, educate and empower vulnerable youth to become engaged and productive adults. Founded in 1985, HANDY has met the needs of more than 50,000 Broward County children and youth in foster and relative / non-relative care and annually serves more than 1,200 at-risk children between the ages of birth – 25 years.

About The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, recognized as one of South Florida’s premier shopping destinations for its sophisticated level of merchandising and ambiance, is the largest and most upscale regional mall in Broward County. Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s anchor the popular center, which also features 100 specialty stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Apple, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, Guess, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Pandora and Pottery Barn. It is also home to Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and a fine roster of dining establishments such as Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Truluck’s, P.F. Chang’s and Blue Martini. Just steps away from Fort Lauderdale’s world famous beach, it is minutes from the airport, port, downtown, hotels and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center with easy access from Sunrise Boulevard, U.S. Highway 1 (Federal Highway), Interstate 95, Interstate 595, and U.S. Highway A1A (Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard). Located at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., it is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon. through Sat. and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sun. Restaurants enjoy later hours. More information is available by calling (954) 564-1036 or at www.galleriamall-fl.com.