Three entities to benefit from Festival of Trees

Pinnacle Bank is hosting its 19th annual Festival of Trees on Friday, Dec. 2, at the Weston County Senior Services Center, with doors opening at 6 p.m. 
The money raised by Festival of Trees goes to local nonprofit organizations as a way to give back to the community, according to Pinnacle Bank Vice President Amy Hoffman. Last year, the event brought in over $41,000, and the bank is hoping to raise close to the same amount this year.
The three organizations chosen this year are the Weston County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, the local WYO Help office, and the Weston County Senior Citizen Center.
As an all-volunteer organization, search and rescue depends on donations for its operations, so the money raised at Festival of Trees, unless designated by the donor for something specific, will help cover operating expenses.  
“Everything we do as volunteers and members, we pay for it ourselves,” said Tracy Wildermuth, a volunteer since 2008. “We can’t operate without the money that we get through donations.”
The money will also be used toward the completion of the Youth Exhibit building at the fairgrounds, which has been renovated almost entirely by donation and volunteer work. 
And without the search and rescue department, other emergency management agencies would suffer a loss of help, according to Wildermuth. Search and rescue assists many local entities — including from sheriffs’ departments, ambulance services and fire departments and have even received calls from Pennington County in South Dakota. 
“All first responders are important to the community,” Wildermuth said, adding that the search and rescue crew “flows over multiple lines” and often plays a fundamental role during emergency response situations. 
If a department is having difficulty getting someone out of a house, search and rescue can provide lift assistance. The WCSSR was even responsible for locating an escaped convict from the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp a few years ago. The volunteers also helped with the school shooter scenario training at Weston County School District No. 1 and local natural disasters, wherever they’re needed. WCSSR also has its own dive unit. 
“We pretty much help everybody,” Wildermuth said. “We spread across a really wide range.”
Tanya Hespe, case manager for WYO Help, is also grateful for the support of Festival of Trees.
“Being awarded this money is a huge honor for us. We are relatively new to the community, and we have a lot of plans. These plans require community support, and this is such a big step in that direction for us,” Hespe said.
She said WYO Help assists residents in being self-sufficient by helping them keep their jobs and homes. If a person can’t afford a required driver’s license for a job or needs additional training to obtain a better job, WYO Help can step in. 
Hespe said this allows people to stay in Weston County, keeping children in the local school district, as well as local monies in the community. WYO Help also brings in a mobile food pantry once a month. 
“WYO Help is important to the community because we strengthen it. There are times in a person’s life that a little boost would change the trajectory of their lives. We want to assist in providing that boost,” Hespe said. 
The money raised at Festival of Trees will be used to continue providing those services to the community.
“WYO Help case workers offer residents wrap-around case management services, which means we don’t just give out money. We help identify a client’s struggle and address what can be done to eliminate these,” Hespe said. “We do this by providing constant support throughout the process, as well as working with other partnerships to help our clients be self-sufficient.” 
As the third recipient of the Festival of Trees fundraiser, the senior center will use the money to replace the flooring in the dining room and water-damaged hallways, said executive director Carolyn Shields, now that the roofing project is coming to completion. 
“That is our big project for right now,” Shields said. “So, this will definitely help us out. We’re very thankful they (Pinnacle Bank) chose us.” 
The senior center has been serving the Weston County community since 1973, according to the organization’s website. In addition to delivering meals and providing rides for local seniors, the building operates as a community event center. 
Every Friday, people from the community gather for cinnamon rolls and coffee, and the building can be rented for functions such as birthday parties, family gatherings for the holidays, and Hall of Fame dinners. 
“I think it’s a good place for a lot of different things,” Shields said. “We feel very blessed to be a part of the community.”
Shields said COVID-19 took a big toll on the center, and it no longer has the number of volunteers it had in the past. Because of the volunteer shortage, it’s been difficult to find the manpower to have fundraisers, Shields said, so she is very grateful for the Festival of Trees. 
“We’re very fortunate to have that and be a part of a community that cares,” Shields said.
 
What is the Festival of Trees?
Festival of Trees is an annual fundraiser hosted by Pinnacle Bank to raise money for local nonprofits by auctioning off 45 wreaths decorated by local businesses and residents, according to Amy Hoffman, the bank’s vice president and the person in charge of the event.
“Our festival is to give back to our community by having the community decorate wreaths for an auction to our nonprofits that we choose every year,” Hoffman said. 
Every year, personnel from Pinnacle Bank act as a board to discuss each applicant and choose which organizations will receive the money raised based on what their anticipated needs are. Hoffman said it’s a way for the bank to stay involved in the community.
Not only is Festival of Trees a way to raise money, but it’s also a fun event for the community to get into the Christmas spirit. 
The doors open at 6 p.m. at the Weston County Senior Citizen Center, and participants will be treated to wine tasting, beer, hors d’oeuvres and music furnished locally by Al and Brenda Costello. 
A $10 wine glass can be purchased at the door for unlimited refills throughout the evening. After the social hour, the auction will start at 7:30 until all the wreaths are sold, usually around 9 p.m. Hoffman said they appreciate whatever the community can contribute.
“It’s just a chance to gather as a community and really give back to those in need,” Hoffman said.