Giving trees

COEUR d'ALENE — There is one day above all that Nicole Jacklin and her mom, Deb Mongeau, look forward to more than any other.

Not Christmas. Not Fourth of July. Not Thanksgiving, although that's close.

"We consider Thanksgiving as Festival of Trees eve," Mongeau said.

"It's not even Thanksgiving," Jacklin added. "It's the day before Festival of Trees."

The two were among teams decorating trees Friday for the 34th annual Festival of Trees.

Eighteen trees were designed and decked out for the Kootenai Health Foundation benefit. Eight were in the live auction for Saturday night's gala, nine in the silent auction and one was for the raffle, with proceeds going to the Kootenai Health Heart Center expansion.

Friday morning, with Christmas music in the background, the final touches were added to the themed trees in The Coeur d'Alene Resort for that night's Friday d'Lights.

The event was open to the public again after going to a virtual format for two years because of COVID-19.

"The decorating teams are rocking it," said Jenifer Fortunato, Kootenai Health Foundation assistant. "There's amazing displays and amazing trees."

Some sponsors decorate their own trees, but most have the foundation bring in a design team.

The trees had the usual ribbons, bows, glitter, tinsel and ornaments, but they also had much more. Gingerbread men, pine cones and even planets were hanging from branches, too.

They came with gifts to match the themes, including vacation packages, wine, musical instruments and a telescope.

While it's a fundraiser, pride is at stake as entrants compete in nine categories, including, "Christmas Memories," "Most Creative" and "Spirit of the Festival."

Brandy Read was the lead designer and decorator of the tree sponsored by Mountain West Bank, "Sugar and Spice Makes Christmas So Nice."

"Christmas is my jam. I love Christmas," she said.

It was her second year taking part in the Festival of Trees.

"I just like being a part of something that gives back," Read said.

Katie Valenta led the team that decorated the raffle tree, "Evergreen Christmas." She said the design was a mix of modern and tradition with natural green colors, with a goal to add love and care to a home.

"I feel like it is important to inspire our community with the gift of Christmas and all the things you can do with your tree," Valenta said.

The Super 1 Foods tree, "A Beachy Christmas," included seven days at a timeshare in Long Beach, Wash., $1,000 in Super 1 gift cards, wine and outdoor toys and games.

"All things outdoors and beachy,” said Robin Wright.

She said she likes the Festival of Trees because it's a great way to give back to the community and support Kootenai Health.

"It’s nice to have great doctors and medical care," Wright said. "We have it all right here."

Jacklin and Mongeau were working on the "Paints and Percussions" tree sponsored by Bershire Hathaway HomeServices Jacklin Real Estate.

They've participated in the Festival of Trees for nearly 15 years.

"I started out doing it by myself, and Nicole joined me about five or six years later," Mongeau said. "And ever since it’s the thing we look forward to the most the whole year."

Mongeau, who worked at Kootenai Health for about 10 years, said they treasure their time together at the Festival of Trees.

"Best mother-daughter bonding on the whole planet," Mongeau said.

Asked when they started working on the tree, Mongeau laughed and looked at her daughter.

Jacklin said the tree was nearly complete Wednesday, but she decided she didn't like the shape of it.

"I'm very picky," she said.

So, she sent her mom a text: "I'm going to take the tree apart and start all over," and went out and bought a new one.

Mongeau wasn't wild about that idea.

"I thought, 'Oh my God, that's awful.' And then my second thought was, 'She's never made a bad decision; she always calls it perfectly," Mongeau said. "It always turns out great."

Jacklin said she appreciated her mother's love and wisdom.

"We take a lot of pride in the hospital and we love doing any kind of work that helps them,” Jacklin said.