Lettie Jackson, Dawn Jones, Kim Smith and Phyllis Weaver are council staff members who are preparing a pink tote bag filled with pink-colored gifts. The pink ribbon logo, a breast cancer awareness symbol, is on several of the items.
The bag will be displayed and auctioned off during the festival, which runs Friday through Monday at the Historical Society Museum of York Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St. in York City.
For the bag, the women purchased a variety of items, including a robe, a pashmina scarf, lunch bag, tea pot and cup set, a breast self-examination instruction card and a compact disc with relaxation music.
"We call it a cancer-awareness tote," Weaver said. "We bought items where some of the sale proceeds went to cancer research. We just want to encourage people to be aware of what's going on with their bodies and keep up with their doctor appointments."
Weaver, 57, has survived colon cancer, while Jackson, 60, overcame ovarian cancer. Smith, the council's bookkeeper, battled endometrial cancer and is now being treated for breast cancer. Data analyzer Jones, 42, said she watched her mother battle breast cancer and mother-in-law deal with skin cancer, respectively. Jackson and Weaver, both
administrative assistants, said their parents dealt with cancer.
Because of their cancer commonality, the women were able to encourage each other as they went through their tests and treatments, said Smith, 49.
"It's a great support system here, and we are on many prayer lists," she said. "We hear from pastors and people from different churches who are concerned about us and send us cards."
Many items to buy: Besides their cancer-awareness bag, the Festival of Trees -- which started in 1995 -- will feature decorated trees, wreaths and holiday ornaments given by local florists, interior designers and companies that sell such items, as well as area garden clubs, churches and social agencies.
The festival also will feature Streets of Shops, an area where attendees can purchase holiday and Advent items and seasonal flowers.
During the festival, attendees can bid on the items. This year's goal is to raise $40,000, Jackson said.
Last year, about $32,000 was raised at the festival to benefit the council of churches and its community-based programs. The council represents more than 130 local congregations.
Jackson said she hopes the gift bag prepared by council staff will show people that there is hope and support available for those battling cancer and other illness.
"By the grace of God, we are all here," she said.
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About the festival
The York County Council of Churches' 14th annual Festival of Trees will be held Friday through Monday at the Historical Society Museum of the York Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St. in York City.
The times for trees and holiday displays are 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
On Monday, doors open at 5 p.m. for the Festival of Foods. The auction for trees and holiday items begins at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets for the regular tree show admission are $5 per adult and for children older than 12. Admission for the Monday event is $15 per person.
For information, call the council of churches at 854-9504.
-- Reach Eyana Adah McMillan at 505-5438 or emcmillan@yorkdispatch.com.
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