Clothing and cell-phone drive to mark annual Festival of Trees

SPARTA - The eighth annual Festival of Trees will be hosted by the Junior Woman’s Club of Sparta Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta. A clothing and cell phone drive will be held to raise funds for local charities. Clothing will be given to Cherished Creations, a non-profit corporation whose mission is to create better lives for seriously ill children and the underprivileged. All types of clothing will be collected, from children’s to adults, from casual to professional. Winter coats are especially needed. In addition, Eco Phones will donate $3 for each cell phone donated and the proceeds will be given to Cherished Creations. Clothing and cell phones are to be dropped off in marked bins from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, during the Festival of Trees event. Again this year, a jewelry raffle will take place with jewelry donated by J. Thomas Jewelers of Sparta. The jewelry is a 14k gold, amethyst, and diamond necklace and pierced earring set with a retail value of $1,000. Raffle tickets are $5 and will be available at the festival, or by calling 973-300-7309, or by stopping by J. Thomas Jewelers in the Upper Lake Mohawk Plaza. Winner need not be present at the drawing. The annual Festival of Tree’s Gala will be held Friday, Nov. 18, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Gala kicks off a two-day event wherein decorated trees will be auctioned off in a silent auction. Gala tickets are $35 each and will be sold in advance until Nov. 15. For information, contact any JWCS member or call 973-300-7309. Tickets are also available at the Sparta Book Store and Buckles & Bows. Ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, and entertainment. A cash bar will be available. Saturday, Nov. 19, will feature a family walk among the forest of decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, followed by a bake sale and family entertainment. Admission is free. Bidding for the silent auction will end at 4:45 p.m. Santa will be on hand for wishes from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. In addition to Cherished Creations, the Sussex County chapter of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund will receive a portion of the proceeds.