Jason Williamson was 13 months old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. He was almost two years old when he died.

The tyke loved basketball.

“He was amazing,” said Cindy Williamson, the child’s mother. “He was so young, but he could put an arc on the ball.”

Jason would be 14 years old this year if his life has followed a different course.

In his memory, the Williamson family decorates and donates a Christmas tree to the Festival of Trees each year.

“Jason gave our family a lot of love,” Williamson said. “We do a tree in honor of him. It’s a healing thing, and so many children get to benefit from it.”

The Festival of Trees is a fundraising event to benefit the Primary Children’s Medical Center. It runs through Saturday at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy.

Every item of the festival is donated, from the 800 trees to the sweet treats and printed paper. Some of the nearly 80,000 attendees of the festival purchase the trees, which range from $30 to $35,000, and every cent goes directly towards Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Sharon Smith, publicity chairwoman of the festival, said the trees are rooted in love and remembrance.

“People generally donate trees for two reasons,” Smith said. “One is to help children in need. The second is to remember their loved ones.”

This year, there are two “Twilight” themed trees, several snowman trees, a Coca-Cola tree and a candy tree among the 800 decorated.

Smith said though many trees act as memorials for loved ones who have passed, others stand as victory sym-bols of life and survival.

“It is truly just a gift of love,” Smith said. “There’s a feeling of love and magic. The true meaning of Christmas is right here.”

Jeanine Mack is also decorating a tree this year. Her is 7-foot-6-inch tree has a “let it snow” theme.

Mack lost her baby boy eight days after he was born. Before he was born, Kaden Matthew was given a small chance of survival through delivery, but he took it.

Kaden was born this year on Feb. 15, with a cleft lip and palate, as well as several brain complications. The in-fant also struggled to regulate the chemicals in his blood. After his birth, Kaden was brought to Primary Chil-dren’s Medical Center and stayed there until he was taken off life-support eight days later.

“Our time at Primary Children’s was a great experience,” Mack said. “We are a doing a tree to honor his [Kaden’s] life and give back to the hospital.”

The Macks’ tree has already been purchased by the USANA Amphitheatre at a price much greater than its value.

Primary Children’s Medical Center is among the top children’s hospitals in the nation. It has the seventh highest level of most critically ill patients while still maintaining the lowest charge per case. Last year, the hospital granted $8.6 million to cover more than 10,000 hospital visits.

In addition to the tree attraction, the benefit festival will have wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread villages, sweet rolls, a treat shop, activities for children and a gift boutique. Additional entertainment will be provided each day.

Folk artist Eric Dowdle has donated a painting of the Festival of Trees for auction. The acrylic painting fea-tures more than 60 symbolic images in the festival’s tradition and history, including a “BYU Cougars Tree,” a “Families Can Be Together Forever Tree” and a “Bridal Tree.”

The Festival of Trees is open from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. each day. Tickets at the door are $4 for adults and $3 for children.

What: Festival of Trees to benefit Primary Children’s Medical Center

Where: South Towne Expo Center in Sandy

When: Dec. 3-6, 10 a.m-10 p.m.

Admission: $4 for adults, $3 for children

For more information, visit festivaloftreesutah.org



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Dec 2008