Festival of Trees raises $33K for NHHS Foundation
NEWPORT, Wash. — Support for a strong rural hospital and healthy Pend Oreille River Valley community grew Saturday to the tune of $32,790. That was the amount raised at the 2025 Festival of Trees, a fundraiser for the Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation.
The event, sponsored by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Kalispel Casino, included kids’ activities, an evening gala, and eight sponsored prize trees — valued at $14,000 collectively — that were raffled off. The following winners were drawn Saturday evening:
- Mary Carswell, “All Around Town Tree,” a collection of gift cards donated by local businesses
- Jake Scribner, “Merry Questmas,” donated by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians
- Karen Snyder, “The River Tree,” donated by Kalispel Casino
- Heather Lynn Jared, “Grizzly, It’s Cold Outside,” donated by Maws and Paws Booster Club
- Marie Hughes, “Let It Cocoa,” donated by Super 1 Foods
- Jeff Jackson, “Cozy Christmas,” donated by staff at River Mountain Village
- Rick Ross, “Toy To The World,” donated by NHHS Board of Commissioners and NHHS Foundation board and staff
- Melissa Pillars, “Baking Spirits Bright,” donated by Safeway
The festivities included daytime family activities, festive music by the Newport High School Choir, and a Holiday Gala sponsored by Wheatland Bank.
“We are so grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate the season with us,” said Josh Johnson, NHHS Foundation Manager. “The money raised helps us support vital needs in our growing Newport Community Hospital. It also goes to community health initiatives, such as our Healthy Kids Snack Bags program, which has added two more schools this year.”
In addition to raffle ticket sales, a silent auction and sponsorships added to the fundraising total. The silent auction, featuring themed mini-trees donated by NHHS employees and bid on during the evening gala, raised $3,880, a record for the Festival of Trees. In addition to Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Kalispel Casino, and Wheatland Bank, other sponsors included Wellpoint, Gesa Credit Union, Columbia Bank, Innovia Foundation, Waters Meet Foundation, Life Flight Network, Albeni Falls Building Supply, Pend Oreille Title & Escrow, Juarez Transport, Chapman Financial Services, Coordinated Care, Selkirk Ace, and STCU.
NHHS Foundation’s next fundraiser is the 2026 Iron Sommelier & Brewmaster Event on Feb. 21 at the Priest River Event Center. Tickets will be available in early January.
About Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation
Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation was established in 2008 to support a strong rural hospital and healthy community. The Foundation raises money for needed healthcare equipment and supplies, employee higher education, the Healthy Kids Snack Bag program, Reach Out & Read, and other needs in support of its mission. Learn more at NewportHospitalAndHealth.org/Foundation.
