’Tis the season for televised holiday favorites, like Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and the 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special. Characters from both winter essentials were recently sighted at the Santa Maria Town Center.
A storefront on the mall’s second floor currently houses a couple dozen Christmas trees up for raffle to benefit local causes supported by Altrusa of the Central Coast, including a Star Wars-themed tree that was in danger of being stolen by the Grinch during one of his visits to the site.
But the tree’s donators/decorators—staff members at the California Men’s Colony—made sure their creation was well protected that evening.
“They sent a stormtrooper and Kylo Ren to stand guard and take pictures with everyone,” said Leticia Kossuth, co-director of Altrusa of the Central Coast. “The Grinch vowed to convert them to ‘the Green Side.’ It was truly an epic night.”
The green menace was a constant source of mayhem and mischief during his recent visit, “although he was kind enough to make sure he took pictures with all the children,” Kossuth admitted.
The winners of Altrusa’s Festival of Trees raffle will be drawn on Dec. 11, and it’s not too late to enter for a chance to win one of the event’s several trees—and the gifts placed under each one. Ticket sales end on Dec. 10.
“Throughout the year, we ask local businesses and organizations to sponsor a tree. Those sponsors choose a theme and include at least $1,000 worth of gifts incorporated into their display,” Kossuth said. “Our sponsors are always so incredibly generous and creative.”
Under the aforementioned Star Wars-themed tree, titled “Silent Night, Jedi Night,” for example, is a plethora of Star Wars figurines, Lego sets, and other merchandise, along with a $1,000 Disney gift card. The cost of raffle tickets is $1 each.
“We have trees that come with Disneyland tickets, Knotts Berry Farm tickets, an Xbox, outdoor pizza ovens, a weekend trip to Shaver Lake, and so much more,” said Kossuth, who has been involved with Altrusa since 2009.
The Knott’s Berry Farm tickets lie under a tree—donated and decorated by staff members at the Community Health Centers of the Central Coast—adorned with ornaments of Snoopy and other Peanuts characters.
The Santa Maria Town Center event features more than 25 trees for raffle participants to choose from, Kossuth said. A separate selection of trees up for raffle is located at Santa Maria’s Kia dealership on South Bradley Avenue, hosted by another local chapter of Altrusa, Altrusa of Golden Valley.
The proceeds from both raffles benefit local organizations—including the Santa Maria Public Library Foundation, the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society, and more than 20 other organizations—that reach out to the Altrusa chapters for grant funding as well as student scholarships.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year. We raised $73,000 last year, and this year we are looking at raising more,” Kossuth said. “The proceeds from this annual tree festival go back to the community in scholarships and grants. Over the years, we have been fortunate to see these funds put to use all over our community.”
Each year, the Altrusa of the Central Coast fundraiser runs for about two weeks starting on Black Friday. Visitors are welcome to browse through the fundraiser’s vast tree selection and purchase raffle tickets to bid for their favorites. One winning ticket is pulled for each tree.
From this year’s selection, Kossuth said she has several personal favorites. One tree comes with a weekend getaway to Shaver Lake, which has been catching some kids’ attention, she’s noticed.
“So many kids have said they’ve never been to the snow, so they really want to win that one,” said Kossuth, who added that it’s easy to find something that appeals to “everyone in the family” under the festival’s trees.
Purchasing a raffle ticket isn’t required for guests to browse through the event’s festive, larger-than-life display area of trees, which really has to be seen to be believed, Kossuth explained.
“It’s all so incredible to take in. It all really needs to be seen in person,” said Kossuth, who also mentioned a voting opportunity for guests of the event. “We do ask everyone to come and vote for their favorite [tree] so we can declare a people’s choice award winner.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is no grinch—he bought six raffle tickets. Send comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 8-15, 2022.
