Community Spirit

For more than three decades, hardworking women in communities throughout San Diego put together a fun holiday event to celebrate the Christmas season and raise money for The Boys and Girls Club. This year, the tradition continues as organizers plan the 32nd Christmas Tree Lane event at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. This year, the theme is vintage glam, and the party begins on Dec. 6 at 11 a.m.

Champagne, cocktails and decadent hors d'oeuvres will be prepared with care, and plenty of activities will make for a joyous affair. A boutique show, fashion show and live auction will be available, and community members and professional decorators provide an extra touch of holiday cheer with hand-decorated Christmas trees to be raffled off. Each raffle winner will receive a uniquely decorated tree, as well as a special gift that accompanies it.

Local firemen and military have volunteered their smiles and charm this year to assist with selling raffle tickets. Laura Cain of "Jeff and Jer" and KFMB-TV news anchor, Carlo Cecchetto will emcee for the afternoon, as well as serve as auctioneers for the live auction.

This year, event committee organizer, Sarah Frazier is serving as the committee chair and organizer. Frazier participated in several of the past Christmas Tree Lane events, assisting in everything from decorating one of the Christmas trees for the raffle, to planning each year’s original theme.

"Christmas Tree Lane is one of the staples that has been carrying the Boys and Girls Club over the years," Frazier said.

The beautiful trees will be on display all afternoon, and guests will be able to shop at the boutique show from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the boutique show are donated to The Boys and Girls Club to help fund transportation from schools to local Boys and Girls Club locations.

The guest list is already filling up, with 400 reservations confirmed. In addition to activities, food and drink, local musicians Jimmy and Enrique will serenade guests with their acoustic guitar and drums. Gretchen Productions will as the producer of the fashion show. Frazier is excited to see returning faces from previous years.

"It’s really become a tradition for a lot of families," she said.

The California Center for the Arts is located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. For more information visit SDyouth.org.