Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1027958
PAT R O N S | FA L L 2 0 1 8 11 p r o g r e s s n o t e s Even while vacationing in Banff, Canada this past summer, Bev George couldn't seem to shake her pre-occupation with pending orders of hundreds of wreaths, garlands and evergreen trees. "Four orders arrived during my vacation. My living room was a quick reminder of the work ahead," she says. "It's always great to be back home and get back to work." George had her first taste of the Holiday Festival in 2006 as a tree designer, after friend Florence Tebbets invited her to help decorate a Raggedy Ann and Andy-themed tree. "It was so much fun, we have been doing a tree each year since," she says. "This year's tree, 'Greetings from Santa,' will be our 12th one." Soon after that first experience, George began volunteering in the workshop, creating handmade treasures to be sold in the Holiday Festival boutique. In 2009 she assumed the role of boutique co-chair. Her new role meant regular trips to LAMart and the local gift shows to buy base materials and holiday décor for direct sale. In 2011, she accepted the role of co-chair of the Holiday Festival with Carolyn Snyder. "I did this under one condition—I would continue to run the boutique side, do the written communication and oversee the cashier system; Carolyn would handle the large theme trees, work with the tree designers and do the social part with meetings in the community," she explains. "I just wanted to be a worker bee." George is grateful for the hundreds of volunteers who do keep coming back— many of whom share a similar motivation. "You never know what you will be doing and we find a task for everyone—no experience needed. Our workshop theme is, 'If you don't have fun, don't come back.' And we have fun." She adds, "All of my grandchildren were born at Torrance Memorial. The hospital is here for us and this is how I show my appreciation." For the past 30 years, the Luminaries and Novas volunteer organizations have provided exclusive support to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. In addition to being "helping hands" at various events throughout the year, their fundraising efforts have included selling stocking stuffers and handmade themed blankets at Holiday Festival's Children's Marketplace, the Novas' annual bake sale, and most recently, a 5K at South Coast Botanical gardens. For the past decade, their signature Holiday Festival event has been the Santa Lunch, which takes place on Sunday, the last day of the six-day festival. "The Santa Lunch is not a fundraising event, but a fun-raising event," former Luminaries president Debbie Uba clarifies. The popular affair is run by the Novas, a high school service group comprised of children of the Luminaries. "The Novas love to interact with the children—painting faces, making crafts, playing games and awarding prizes," Uba says. "When Santa comes to meet each child and give them a small gift, parents not only have a great photo opportunity, but capture a special day in the life of a child." All the activities, prizes and lunch are included in the price of admission. "One of the most memorable events was witnessing the moment a child first saw Santa," recalls Uba. "The pure innocence and joy in her eyes and her voice as she cried out, 'Santa! Santa is here!' brought tears to the eyes of many of the Luminaries present. It is a reminder that there are only a few years in the life of a child when everything is new and magical and we need to treasure those moments." BEV GEORGE Holiday Festival Co-Chair THE LUMINARIES AND NOVAS Santa Lunch