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Columnist Mary Louise VanNatta

Boys and Girls Aid Gala of Trees

It was a virtual Christmas tree forest at the Salem Conference Center for the 2010 Boys and Girls Aid Gala of Trees. Not to be confused with the Boys and Girls "Club," Boys and Girls Aid helps children find safe and permanent homes. One of their most popular fundraisers of the year is the Gala of Trees.

Amazingly festive, the event put everyone in the holiday mood. After being properly oriented by Jennifer Kinkade, Lena Prine and Joanie Fohn, I went on to the lobby, which was filled with tabletop trees and wreaths for silent auction. I had my eye on "Bling Me Home for Christmas," a tree covered with shiny décor. It was decorated by Savanna Courtney and Sharon Hoffer and sponsored by Blackberries. I bid on a wreath designed by one of the Boys and Girls Aid Cherry Branch Auxiliary Presidents, AnnMarie DuFault, who shares the leadership job with Lisa Plechl-Phillips.

The banquet hall was surrounded by 13 majestic trees, waiting for auction. Each tree was sponsored by local businesses and decorated by the organization's supporters. One of the favorites was the "Star Wars"-themed tree, decorated by Leanna Thayer and sponsored by law firm Gatti, Gatti, Maier, Sayer, Thayer, Smith and Associates.

Firm members and spouses, Ryan Jennings, Heather Latham, Mike and Elizabeth Smith, and Leanna's husband, Jeff Thayer, showed me many of the tree's special features, which included a round, lit "death star" tree topper. Leanna said she spent hundreds of hours on the tree, but it paid off. The top bidder took it home for $5,000.

One of my favorite trees was "Days of December," sponsored by Performance Health Technology. I had a chance to visit with Holly Tindall and Amy Barnwell from the company. Sponsor Mountain West Investment Corporation was represented by Gayle Lundmark, who attended with cousin Jacqueline Denison. Sponsors Bud and Selma Pierce, and his organization, Hematology Oncology of Salem, made possible the "Polar Express" tree, which featured an authentic Lionel electric O-gauge train circling the base.

It was nice to learn about Boys and Girls Aid, founded in Portland in 1885. The group is one of Oregon's most established adoption agencies for both infants and children in foster care. Their work also includes creating safe places for homeless and runaway youth as well as helping young people who are transitioning into adulthood without family support or resources. For more information, go to www.Boysandgirlsaid.org.

Ryan Jennings, Heather Latham, Mike Smith, and Leanna and Jeff Thayer stand in front of the Gatti, Gatti Maier, Sayer, Thayer, Smith and Associates law firm tree at the Boys and Girls Aid Gala of Trees. (Mary Louise VanNatta | Special to the SJ)