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The 41st Annual Festival of Trees, presented by the TriState Health Foundation, was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a powerful celebration of generosity, creativity, and community spirit that will be remembered for years to come.

In November 2025, the Clearwater River Casino & Lodge Event Center glowed with holiday magic as dozens of beautifully decorated trees, each designed by local businesses, families, and community partners, filled the room with warmth and wonder. What unfolded over the course of the Festival went far beyond tradition. It became a defining moment for local healthcare and a testament to what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose.

Thanks to remarkable community support, the Festival raised an unprecedented $1,088,768, making it the most successful fundraising event in the TriState Health Foundation’s history. These funds will directly support the expansion of critical healthcare services in the Lewis-Clark Valley, ensuring patients and families can access high-quality care close to home.

A defining moment of the evening came during the live auction with the show-stopping tree titled, “Christmas in the Canyon.” What began as spirited bidding quickly became a powerful display of generosity and shared commitment. The final bidding unfolded between Gary and Jutta Hughes and Cristina Wright, whose enthusiastic participation helped elevate the moment into Festival of Trees history. Cristina’s willingness to bid boldly and wholeheartedly reflected her deep belief in the mission of TriState Health Foundation, and her involvement made the record-breaking outcome possible. When the Hughes family ultimately secured the tree with a $420,000 bid, the room erupted in applause, recognizing not only the historic total, but the extraordinary generosity demonstrated by everyone involved.

Inspired by the rugged beauty of Hells Canyon and the Snake River, “Christmas in the Canyon” was a stunning tribute to the region’s landscape and sense of adventure. The tree was brought to life through a collaboration of local designers whose creativity and craftsmanship captured the spirit of the Northwest and the heart of the Festival. Designers included Karrie Hughes Kay (Hughes Foundation), Debbie Zenner (DZ Design), Kaitlyn Loseth (Stonebraker McQuary), and Randi Kilcup (Inland Cellular). The display was anchored on a handcrafted jet boat base fabricated by students from Walla Walla Community College’s Clarkston Campus welding program, adding a meaningful layer of local pride and ingenuity.

The impact of the evening extended well beyond the tree auction. During the Raise the Paddle portion of the program, approximately $380,000 was raised in support of the Foundation’s Surgery & Clinic Expansion, helping advance expanded surgical capacity and outpatient services. A transformational gift of $250,000 from Chris Schmidt, given in honor of the late Rick Wasem, and two $25,000 donations from Don McQuary and the Arnone Family further underscored the powerful role philanthropy plays in shaping the future of healthcare in our region.

While the numbers were historic, the true success of the 41st Annual Festival of Trees was found in the shared sense of purpose that filled the room. Sponsors, designers, volunteers, donors, and attendees came together in a joyful reminder that investing in healthcare is an investment in one another, in neighbors, families, and future generations.

As D’Lynn Ottmar, Chief Development Officer of TriState Health Foundation, reflected, “This year’s Festival of Trees was epic, it showcased what makes this community extraordinary. Every gift, large and small, reflects a commitment to ensuring everyone in the Lewis-Clark Valley has access to exceptional healthcare.”

As the lights dimmed and the final bids were called, one thing was clear. The Festival of
Trees continues to be a beacon of hope and generosity. The 41st Annual Festival of Trees not only exceeded expectations, it strengthened the Foundation’s ability to serve, heal, and grow alongside the community it proudly supports.