Photograph courtesy of the Valle Monte League
Designer Linda Floyd's Mardi Gras-themed tree was raffled off at the Valle Monte League's 1995 "Christmas Tree Elegance" series of fundraising events. This year, the event is expected to raise more than $250,000 for four Santa Clara Valley mental-health nonprofit groups.
Valle Monte League, a group of 150 female volunteers, on Dec. 3 begins its annual Christmas Tree Elegance, a four-day series of holiday events that includes fashion shows and parties at the Red Lion Inn in San Jose.
Christmas Tree Elegance features 8-foot trees decorated by area designers, with gifts valued at $5,000 or more tucked underneath. One tree is awarded at each of eight events, and the remaining trees are presented at a Grand Ball on Dec. 8.
A fashion show produced by Macy's is featured at a champagne brunch and at a holiday office party, both on Dec. 3.
On Dec. 4, there is a morning coffee and an afternoon tea, and on Dec. 5, there is a coffee, a tea and a children's party.
Proceeds from these events are donated to four mental-health agencies: the Adult and Child Guidance Center, the John XXIII Senior Center, the Centre for Living with Dying and the Alzheimer's Activity Center.
The people of Saratoga are an important part of Christmas Tree Elegance. In 1995, Lori Wortley, Janet McLaughlin and Sally Brannon of Saratoga won trees.
Jeanne Helmonds, this year's league president, lives in Saratoga, as do finance chairwoman Florence Barker and committee members Aileen Prince, Gladys Fong, Wanda Pollack, Abby Sobrato, Anne Noller, Steffi Sims, Judy Butler, Beverly Scoffone, Mikie Willinson and Joanne Kennedy.
Saratoga designers participating include Myrna Baldwin of Baldwin Interiors, Barbara Jacobs of Barbara Jacobs Interior Design and Karyn De-Boer of Tollgate Interiors.
For information, contact co-chairs Pam Costello and Eden Nesse at 395-1943.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, November 27, 1996.
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