Contact: LARC
Christina Emery
Director of Development
Phone 860-482-9364 x39
For Immediate Release
Festival of Trees Winners Announced
Torrington – December 19, 2012: LARC is pleased to announce the following winners of the 11th Annual Festival of Trees. The awards are based on 515 individuals that submitted ballots during the week-long event held at Valerie Manor.
Best of Show
1st Place – Torrington Savings Bank
2nd Place – Shades of Northwest Hills (Nutcracker Ballet Tree)
3rd Place – Best Friends (Corn Husk Angel Tree)
Most Creative
1st Place – The Two Gails (Snowman Tree)
2nd Place – Highlander Transition Academy
3rd Place – Best Friends (Corn Husk Angel Tree)
Most Traditional
1st Place – Goshen Garden Club
2nd Place – Best Friends (Corn Husk Angel Tree)
3rd Place – Torrington Savings Bank
Children’s Choice
1st Place – Debra Sue Klingerman (Jeremiah was a Bull Frog)
2nd Place – Torrington Christian Academy
3rd Place – TIE: Patricia Schultz (Barbie Tree) Shades of Northwest Hills (Nutcracker Ballet Tree)
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According to Larry Cassella, Executive Director of LARC, “The event could not have been possible without the dedicated work done by our Festival of Trees Committee and volunteers. We extend our thanks to all those who participated, whether it through sponsorship, donating a beautiful display, participating in one of our theme nights, shopping in our Gift Shop, or bidding on an auction item. We are also appreciative of our generous host, Valerie Manor.”
All funds raised from the Festival support a wide range of personal wishes and requests. In the past, funds helped to purchase clothing for individuals in need, commercial blenders to assist residents with eating, program supplies and recreational activity scholarships, diving and living room furniture for residents, cubby space in a new program location, camper scholarships for children with special needs, and an iPad for individuals with autism. In addition to these personal needs, the Festival of Trees Committee held a December Holiday Party, the Fall & Spring Dinner Dances, and the “Pizza Picnic” in August.
LARC was founded in 1964 and is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves more than 400 individuals with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities, including autism, throughout Northwest Connecticut. The principles which have guided LARC in its delivery of programs are individual empowerment, choice, respect, and dignity.
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