A Branch Network

Barbara Kolosowski says raffle participants employ a number of various strategies in hopes of improving their odds of winning one of the entries in the Springfield Boys & Girls Club’s annual Festival of Trees.

“Some will wait until the last day, thinking that this might somehow give them an edge,” explained Kolosowski, director of Development for the Boys & Girls Club, noting that hundreds of tickets are dropped in the decorated paint cans placed before each of the donated trees. “Meanwhile, others will give the can a real good shake, and some will try to make their ticket the last one in, thinking that’s the one we’ll pull. Everyone has a different approach, and it’s fun to watch.”

Such ticket-positioning exploits have become one of many pleasant and rewarding observations for Kolosowski and others involved with the festival, now in its eighth year.

Indeed, they’ve seen participation grow from 25 entries that first year, when the event was staged what is now the old Basketball Hall of Fame, to well over 100 today. They’ve seen the tree-decorating efforts become ever-more creative and the competition for various titles — from ‘most popular’ to ‘best children’s-themed,’ as decided by the voting public — grow more spirited with each holiday season.

And this year, they’ve seen companies and individuals come through in an obviously down economy, thus defying the odds themselves in some respects.

“We were obviously concerned about this year given the economy and how it has impacted businesses large and small,” Kolosowski told BusinessWest. “We’re simply ecstatic with the response we’ve seen.”

That response equates to 106 trees (the latest number available), which is down from a record high of 118 last year, but still commendable given the current climate, she said, adding that this level of participation is clearly indicative of the enormous popularity of the festival and recognition of the important work being done by the Boys & Girls Club.

“The support we’ve seen this year, in this economy, shows that our event has gained some recognition, and that businesses, individuals, and families want to be a part of it,” she explained. “But it also shows that people understand the mission — and they want to help.”

For those not familiar with this fund-raiser, the word festival captures its essence. This is a nearly three-week-long initiative that has several dates to keep in mind. First, there’s the tree-decorating period just prior to the official start — a camaraderie-building exercise for many area companies. Then there’s the kickoff (this year on Nov. 28) which immediately follows the last acts of the Big Balloon Parade down Main Street in Springfield.

The festival lasts this year until Dec. 14, when the winning raffle tickets are drawn. During those 16 days, visitors can come to Tower Square (second floor, adjacent to the Citywalk food court) and see the collection of trees. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, with children under 12 admitted free.

They can also purchase raffle tickets (25 for $10) and spread them among as many of those paint cans as they choose. More than 6,000 people toured the display area a year ago, and a comparable number is expected this season.

This year, the competition for prizes will be even more intense, said Kolosowski, noting that the Kung Fu Academy in Chicopee won ‘most original’ last year with an upside-down tree.

This year’s entries, to be donated by many long-time participants (veterans in the art of decorating, if you will) as well as many newcomers, will all have names, which, in this case, equate to themes, she explained. For example, there’s ‘Have a Green Christmas,’ donated by Peter Pan Bus Lines; ‘Sugar & Spice & Everything YUMMY!’ to be entered by Applebee’s; ‘Candy Land Tree,’ donated by the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, and ‘International Children’s Toys,’ to be entered by Springfield Technical Community College, among others.

Last year, the Boys & Girls Club netted more than $40,000 from the festival, said Kolosowski, making this among the largest of the group’s annual fund-raising endeavors and easily its most popular, given the fact that it appeals to people of all ages

“This event is about more than just the money we raise,” she said. “I think it really opens peoples’ eyes to what we as an organization do for 2,800 kids a year. It educates people about us because we talk about our mission in all our advertising; this gets people to the door to help us serve those kids.

For more information on the festival, visit www.visittreefest.com. And in the meantime, have a strategy in place for your raffle tickets.

—George O’Brien