AZ Insider: Xmas Tree at Charity Gala Goes for $80K

 
 
 

Kathy Shayna Shocket has the stories on the people who make a difference. 

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It was a record setting evening for the Arizona Burn Foundation. 

 It was another record setting year for the 2016 Holiday Festival of Trees, this year chaired by Paula Hill of Wells Fargo.  It's the wonderful signature gala to benefit the Arizona Burn Foundation. The Foundation raises critical funds for burn survivors and their families and programs such as its Forever Courage Hospitality Program and children’s burn camp, Camp Courage.

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 As the 11 sponsored, elaborately decorated Christmas trees were auctioned off, the champagne began flowing. And when the competitive bidding for the tree sponsored by Charity Air Ambulance sold for $80,000- well, it was raining champagne. Especially after Cheyenne Lord’s highest bid of $80,000 was matched by Slade Stewart. The friendly competitive bidding between friends, says Cheyenne, was all in the spirit and their passion for the evening’s cause. The two philanthorpists are pictured above left. 

Kevin Foster, Director of Arizona Burn Center and Chairman of the board of Arizona Burn Foundation who spoke about the impact of the Foundation, is pictured above right. Graciela Nobles, pictured above left, captivated guests, speaking about her story as a burn survivor.    

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Walter Productions, also bid on their own sponsored tree. Its CEO, Kirk Strawn and employees are pictured above.  The passion for this charity is so strong that the 18 year old fundraiser kicks off the holiday season for many of its loyal guests. Including Cheyenne, a board member of Arizona Burn Foundation and head of Charity Air Ambulance. He brought all of his employees and says the gala is his company’s employee holiday party.

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There’s also a team of volunteers behind the scenes for this fundraiser on the morning following the gala. A group of off-duty fire fighters from the Phoenix metro area, coordinated by Scottsdale Firefighter Rob Clark, shrink wrapped and delivered the huge trees on their fire trucks to the highest bidders.

In addition to the Arizona Burn Foundation’s Camp Courage and the Forever Courage Hospitality Program, it also provides many outreach and prevention programs such as state-wide smoke alarm installations and a new pre-school education program. 

 kathy shayna shocket copy  Kathy Shayna Shocket is a freelance Writer, and TV- Field Producer based in Phoenix, AZ. The former TV-Reporter has written for publications such as TIME Magazine, Money Magazine, PEOPLE Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and The NEW YORK TIMES. You can reach her at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it