Details

Published: November 28 2013

(left to right): Melissa Milroy, senior marking manager for The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, Jeremy Hayes, owner of Hayes Farms Christmas Trees, Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Tis the season for giving, and nearly a dozen local charities will benefit from HANDY’S Festival of Trees at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, December 10.  Guests will marvel at a winter wonderland of bedazzled trees, which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting local charitable organizations.

“We are thrilled to bring holiday cheer and aid to a variety of local causes by revitalizing this popular community event,” said Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY.  “This is the first time that HANDY has hosted this event, and we are overwhelmed by the community support for our mission to embrace, educate and empower vulnerable youth.”

Attendees at the unveiling reception, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m in the east wing of The Galleria near Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, will enjoy complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres, holiday-themed musical entertainment and the chance to bid on their favorite tree.  Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.HANDYinc.org or calling (954) 522-2911, ext. 208.

As part of this community effort, more than 20 local businesses, retailers and charitable organizations will decorate 9’ tall trees, courtesy of Runway Growers.  A panel of esteemed judges will select one charity organization’s tree to be awarded a $1,000 donation. 

Organizations already signed on to benefit from this seasonal event include DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club, Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre, The Girl Choir of South Florida, Florida Guardian ad Litem, Jack & Jill Children’s Center and Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. 

HANDY’S Festival of Trees at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is sponsored in part by Broward Sheriff’s Office, Cliff Floyd, Dean Kretschmar, Dr. Patty's Dental Boutique, Gunster, HANDY's Next Generation Committee, Hayes Farms, McCormick Distilling, Inc., Moss Construction Managers, Premier Beverage and Weber.

About HANDY
HANDY’s mission is to embrace, educate and empower vulnerable youth to become engaged and productive adults.  Founded in 1985, HANDY has met the needs of more than 50,000 Broward County children and youth in foster and relative / non-relative care and annually serves more than 1,200 at-risk children between the ages of birth – 25 years.

About The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale
The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, recognized as one of South Florida's premier shopping destinations for its sophisticated level of merchandising and ambiance, is the largest and most upscale regional mall in Broward County. Neiman Marcus, Macy’s and Dillard’s anchor the popular center, which also features 100 specialty stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, America Eagle Outfitters, Apple, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, Cole Haan, Guess, J. Crew, Michael Kors and Pottery Barn. It is also home to Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and a fine roster of dining establishments such as Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Truluck’s, P.F. Chang’s and Blue Martini. Just steps away from Fort Lauderdale’s world famous beach, it is located minutes from the airport, port, downtown, hotels and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center with easy access from Sunrise Boulevard, U.S. Highway 1 (Federal Highway), Interstate 95, Interstate 595, and U.S. Highway A1A (Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard). Located at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., it is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon. through Sat. and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sun. Restaurants enjoy later hours. More information is available by calling (954) 564-1036 or at www.galleriamall-fl.com.