Assistance League of Glendale gathered for its 34th annual Festival of Trees on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center. With over 550 folks present, the Christmas season was welcomed in style with music by the Glendale High School bell choir under the direction of Kathleen Williams. The room was filled with intricate, hand-made trees, a manger scene, a Polar Express Village, decorated patio furniture, classic china and the ever popular Let’s Go Out collection of dinners that were won by lucky guests. The Assisteens were in charge of selling the opportunity tickets and presenting the prizes to the winners.

This was the third year that chairwomen Mary Margaret Smith  headed the Festival of Trees event. Besides the impressive  displays and delicious lunch, people who purchased tickets and placed them in the raffle boxes had a chance to take home one of more than 20 holiday gift baskets as well as the festive centerpieces. The silent auction in the lobby area was organized by chairwomen Lu Hishman and Sally Benson, resplendent with numerous baskets and unique gifts artistically arranged.

Jean Peacock took the podium, welcoming all with a little history of what the Assistance League does.

Philanthropies include Operation School Bell which provides clothing to low-income families,  Authors & Illustrators day at local schools, SAT seminars and scholarships for students in the Glendale School District, and the Senior Neighborhood

fellowship, just to name a few.

The Festival and the Thrift Alley at 314 E. Harvard supply the funds to keep the projects giving to those in need. Thrift Alley will have a big sale with everything half price on Monday, Dec. 21 before closing for the Christmas week.

In January the shop will be open daily Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

It is closed each Tuesday.