By AMELIA NIELSON-STOWELL
SANDY - Three years ago, Will's Pitt Stop sponsored award-winning speedboat racer Lance Faulkner.
Today, the Provo gas station is sponsoring a memorial for Lance, who died Thanksgiving Day 2001 in a racing accident. The memorial, a glittering Christmas tree, was one of many trees honoring a lost loved one at the 2004 Festival of Trees.
For 34 years, the four-day fundraising event has earned nearly $14 million for Primary Children's Medical Center. Community groups, families, businesses and volunteers decorate trees and other holiday d?cor for patients at the medical center.
Lori Peterson, festival chairwoman who has been volunteering for the festival for 14 years, said many people decorate a tree as a way to give something back to the hospital.
'It really is a gift of love from all of them,' she said. 'It's so touching to see so much goodness in our world.'
And Christmas is celebrated all year long for the volunteer board of 80 women. The volunteers coordinated almost 800 trees this year.
'If you love kids and you love Christmas, this is the perfect thing,' Peterson said, picking up her grandson. 'This is basically our whole community coming together to do this.'
Peterson said many festival goers comment to her about the 'magic' or 'spirit' of the festival. She recalled a day when she came to the festival and watched the volunteer Santa approach a handicapped child who was unable to sit on Santa's lap because he was in a wheelchair. The Santa bent down and caressed the child's face - a moment that brought Peterson to tears.
One popular tree, 'Hats Off to Primary,' was decorated with autographed hats from local and national celebrities. Salt Lake City resident Necia Christensen created her tree to recognize children who fight the negative effects of chemotherapy.
'Our 10-year-old granddaughter is a cancer patient,' she said. 'Due to the side effects of chemotherapy, she lost her hair and hoped for the day when she could finally take her hat off.'
Another tree was decorated by Utah Correctional Industries inmates, who focused the display scene on Christmas' they remembered. Inmates saved money from their wages for the tree and ornaments. They also crocheted and knitted blankets, a sweater set, a christening gown, coveralls, a cap, stuffed animals, baby booties, heart ornaments and clothing for hand-crafted porcelain dolls.
Over 1,000 volunteers work at the event, which, for many community members, begins the holiday season.
Brady and Cari Staples, Cooperton residents, came to see a tree honoring one of Cari's former students.
'This is a great fundraiser,' Cari said. 'We want to do a tree next year.'
The Staples' three-week old son is currently at Primary Children's Medical Center, and the couple is hoping he will be home in time for Christmas.