LAYTON -- The Evergreens Christmas tree festival Tuesday received a major boost from donors, resulting in $100,000 being raised for the Safe Harbor shelter for victims of domestic violence.
"I think we had a $100,000 evening," said Kay Card, shelter executive director.
The 13th annual tree festival, held Monday and Tuesday at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, this year generated $20,000 more in donations than last year's event took in.
Card said that dollar figure is "exceptional" considering the current economy.
"You never underestimate the power of a community when it comes together," Card said of a $50 a plate festival dinner and public auction that drew about 500 people. "We had a full house," she said of the event held in the center's main ballroom.
Two of the 23 Christmas trees on hand sold for $2,000 each during the open auction of the event, she said, while the winning bid for a trip to Mexico was $2,700.
Christmas gift baskets, bid on through a silent auction, also generated a large amount of interest, Card said.
"It turned out well," said Card, who credits the community and the Evergreens volunteer committee that began organizing the annual event last summer.
The festival is the only fundraiser held for the Safe Harbor shelter, which last year served about 1,500 women and children who were victims of domestic abuse.
In a year that has seen many nonprofit organizations fail, Card was excited to receive the support.
The dollars raised will be used to remodel a portion of the shelter and provide victims with plane or bus tickets or legal fees they incur while getting away from their abuser, Card said.
The public was able to preview the Christmas trees Monday evening in advance of the Tuesday auction.
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