Pomerene festival builds Christmas excitement

Snow-laden sleighs: check.

Shiny Christmas trees littered with sparkling decorations: check.

Glowing candles, wintry snowmen, Christmas carols and smiles galore: check.

Christmas spirit oozing from everywhere: check.

Everything is a go for the annual Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival at the Berlin Grande Hotel, which helps inspire the public to build on the Christmas spirit by offering plenty of opportunities to purchase Christmas décor including trees, wreaths, centerpieces, furniture and more.

The public is invited to get into the Christmas spirit and join the members of the Pomerene Auxiliary for the 15th annual Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival.

Filled with traditional twinkling lights and color, the sounds of Christmas music, and the spirit of Christmas, not only from the many items on display, but also from the many auxiliary volunteers who host the event, the festival will be open to the public on Friday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berlin Grande Hotel’s large conference room on the west side of the hotel.

In addition, the auxiliary will host a sponsor’s night on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 5-8 p.m.

While this event has become a favorite of many, this year appears to be an even bigger and better fundraiser for the auxiliary because of the growth being experienced.

“We have more than 100 Christmas decorations and furniture on display, a bump up from last year’s previous record of 80 items. We’re very excited and grateful for the incredible number of sponsors for this year’s event,” said Cindy Yoder, Pomerene Auxiliary administrative assistant and credentialing and volunteer coordinator who, along with other members of the auxiliary, always make the conference room come alive in Christmas fashion. “We’re blessed by the support, and we look forward to presenting another fun weekend of Christmas joy.”

Admission to the festival is $5 per person. Children age 14 and under are free. The sheer beauty of the conference room’s decorative pieces is enough to get anyone into the Christmas spirit, but even more exciting is each of the items on display is available for purchase. All proceeds from the Christmas Festival are donated by the auxiliary to Pomerene Hospital for the purchase of patient care equipment and facility improvements.

The festival will feature more than 100 decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, displays and small furniture items that will all be available for purchase. All items are donated and decorated by local businesses. Raffle items also will be available, with a variety of things that can be purchased for use by the buyer or also serve as Christmas gifts. The items are donated or handmade by local businesses, or the businesses donated funds for the auxiliary to create a piece of Christmas joy.

Former Judge Milo Miller summed up the event at a previous event: “The Christmas spirit here is amazing. You walk in here and you can feel the community coming together to support a great organization in the Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary. Then you use the creativity in the community and bring out some unique, colorful ideas to allow the rest of the community to come in here and see it all on display in such a festive way.”

It is all made possible due to the enduring passion of the auxiliary volunteers, who create a winter wonderland of Christmas joy throughout the conference room.

“Our volunteers donate so much time and give such a great effort into making sure Pomerene Hospital patients and staff recognize they are appreciated and loved,” Yoder said. “This event continues to provide funds that enable the hospital departments to do some things that they might not otherwise be able to do.”

Jason Justus, Pomerene Hospital CEO, said the work done by the auxiliary is often unheralded, although none of them do it for the accolades, but rather because they have a desire to serve others and help wherever they can.

The auxiliary has been an integral part of the hospital for the past half century. Its volunteers have been making an impact at the hospital, whether that means doing volunteer work at the hospital or providing funds that allow the different departments to purchase items that help provide quality care.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Christmas while supporting an organization that continues to be fundamental in the success of Pomerene Hospital. For more information call 330-763-2001.