Festival of Trees Gala to benefit cancer patients

FINDLAY — Lucky bidders will leave the Festival of Trees Gala with a uniquely designed Christmas tree to decorate their home for the holidays. But the real winners will be local cancer patients. This year's fete - which is set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Findlay County Club - will benefit Cancer Patient Services. The agency provides support free of charge to individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer and live or work in Hancock County. "There are so many diagnosed and I think a lot of people are unaware of all of the services that they provide here," said Ashley Boehler, owner of Revive Salon & Day Spa. She and her husband, Dr. Mark Boehler, owner of Quality PT, are credited with bringing the festival back last year. This is Boehler's second year at the helm. The gala was previously held in 2016 which marked its 25th anniversary. That year, $100,000 was raised to benefit the American Cancer Society. The couple revamped the event. And since the American Cancer Society no longer has a local office, they opted to give the money to the United Way of Hancock County for local charitable institutions. Boehler said $32,000 was raised. The goal this year is $75,000. A limited number of tickets are available. The cost is $100 per person or $800 for a table. Boehler said they decided to get involved with the fundraiser because her husband sang at a Festival of Trees event years ago. "It was so much fun and they raised so much money for the cancer society. We both want to do more community involvement so this is a great way," she said. "Even though it is the busiest time of year for both of us, it's a great event and you feel like you're doing your part as a business owner." The evening will include heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Seven highly decorated Christmas trees and centerpieces will be auctioned off about 8 p.m. with Kevin Rettig as auctioneer. Boehler said all of the trees are under 8-foot tall this year. Boehler, Gina Lynn and Jennifer Farison will decorate the trees, assisted by Aaron Patterson from the Thistle Exchange. Each will have a different color scheme and look. Offerings will include a gold and green tree, classical Christmas, moody jewel tones, a peppermint tree, a woodland tree, a black and white tree and a boho neutral tree with lots of green elements. Every ornament will be wired on so the trees can be safely transported, said Boehler. There are also about 25 silent auction items ranging from a free bounce house rental and Kate Spade purse to a Perrysburg experience and wine basket. "We're very excited," said Carol Metzger, chief executive officer for CPS. "We appreciate that Ashley selected us and we're really looking forward to the event." "We're grateful for our community partnerships because we certainly couldn't do what we do without them," she added. CPS offers a number of services for its clients. "We provide what we call 'wrap around' services. We're not medical so things we provide are financial assistance for some of their out-of-pocket medical expenses," said Metzger. Patients can receive nutritional drinks and medical supplies, and they can borrow medical equipment. There is a full-time patient navigator on staff who helps clients sort through the bills they receive with their diagnosis. She can also help find additional funds beyond what CPS can provide from other national organizations, and aid people in filing for Social Security disability if that's something they need. "We have a relationship with I think about 16 different licensed mental health counselors that people have the opportunity to utilize, and that can be either the client or anyone in their family," Metzger said. A class in the Grief Recovery Method is one of the newest services available. "It's not a support group, it's a process," said Metzger. "It's kind of a workbook that people work through that helps them walk that grief story." Patients can also attend Healing Arts sessions like massage, reiki, meditation and art classes. "So we try to provide services for people. And really the goal is to try and help them manage their journey and hopefully relieve a little of the burden of their cancer diagnosis," Metzger explained. Premium sponsors of the gala are Ohio Logistics and the Brown Co. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.classy.org/event/festival-of-trees-2024/e622325.