MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Town board member-elect Vicky Parker admires silent auction item No. 50, a laser-lighted tree on a wood base donated by Unique Creations. Advertisement

The fourth annual Festival of Trees Gala held Dec. 5, sponsored by Nathan Adelson Hospice and hosted by the Pahrump Nugget, was another success. There were over 150 audience members who were willing to open their hearts and their wallets for a good cause.

Dr. Lisa Marie Lyons, Senior Director of Medical Affairs for the hospice began the evening by saying, "We currently have 2,288 patients on hospice with 18 of those being under 14 years of age. This past year we had a newborn who passed on due to a rare but terminal birth defect, and one of our own, 'Franny,' who passed away from cancer."

Also in attendance was Karen Rubell, vice president of the hospice foundation, and Sherry Yarbrough, clinical manager of the Pahrump hospice, and Shelly Heppler, administrator, Pahrump Nathan Adelson Hospice.

Said Heppler: "A big thanks to our bronze sponsors and the Pahrump Valley Winery for their support. It is because of the kindness and generosity of the people of Pahrump that we are able to provide the services that we do in our community."

Jeffrey Rathjen, director of operations for the Pahrump Nugget, said, "We are very happy to hold this annual event at the Nugget. I want to thank all of those who make it work."

Chef Bill Bitzer had a recent personal experience with the hospice as his fiancee's mother recently passed away while on hospice care.

"I truly appreciate all the care that NAH provided," he said. "They brought everything together to make her last days comfortable."

Tonya Brum, hospice public relations and events coordinator, remarked, "Nathan Adelson Hospice, Pahrump, is very proud of our Festival of Trees Gala. We have worked tirelessly with the Pahrump Nugget to put on a very special traditional holiday event. I would like to thank all of the sponsors, participants and supporters for their continued support. A big thank you to Lori Doller and her team, and Jeffrey Rathjen and his team for all they do all year long in supporting Nathan Adelson Hospice."

She added, "I would also like to thank the members of the Golden Monarch's Fundraising Council for NAH for their hard work and support of the event."

But the evening was all about the trees, and beautiful they were, as well as profitable for the hospice. The most notable were the seven-foot trees, but there was a four-foot tree of note as well:

The four-foot Gingerbread Tree, sponsored by Tommasino's Fine Italian Dining, brought $425.

As for the seven-footers, Go Green, sponsored anonymously, brought $110; Casino, sponsored by the Nugget, brought $85; Sweet Christmas, Pahrump Valley Dental, brought $150; Country Western Hospitality, Saddle West, $200.

Also, Holiday Memories, the Samsel and Cavanaugh families, $200; Peacocks, Toppo Medical, $1,000; Santa's On His Way, an anonymous supporter, $525.

The other four-foot trees and wreaths were profitable as well. The live auction item was a remote-controlled 1969 Dodge Charger donated by Saitta Trudeau, which brought $235.

"It was a wonderful event and it was an honor to attend," said Lyons. "The people of Pahrump were gracious and also very generous. Nathan Aldeson Hospice has been privileged to care for the people of Pahrump for 10 years. We look forward to the next 10 years."

The beautiful table centerpieces of carnations, roses, and evergreens with globes and silver-painted pine cones were handmade by Arbor Flowers of Pahrump.

If you would like to sign up early for sponsoring a wreath or tree for next year's gala, contact Tonya Brum at 751-6700 or 209-3896.