Ornament-laden trees, nestled in every nook of the Four Seasons Hotel lobby and with themes ranging from elegant to whimsical, will be on display through December 13—the date of the fourth annual philanthropic Georgetown Jingle. All the trees will be auctioned off at the event, although a hotel guest already snatched up the centerpiece tree, called Driftwood, for $15,000.
Since its inception in 2006, Georgetown Jingle has raised nearly $1 million for children battling cancer and blood disorders at Georgetown University Hospital.
For some of the designers, inspiration for their trees and vignettes was taken from the children themselves. When designer Wendy Danziger visited 11-year-old Katie Chapman, diagnosed with leukemia three years ago, she was greeted with a make-believe tea party. So Danziger created “Children’s Tea Party,” an evergreen dressed in brown garland and ballet-pink ornaments.
“I’m probably the only Jewish person who has done a Christmas tree this year,” Danziger says with a chuckle. “If this is what Christmas is all about, I’ll lose Judaism.”
Some of the designers are four-year veterans, such as Camille Saum, who crafted “L’Arbre de Noël Elegant,” a shimmering silver tree garnished with white ribbon and gold and maroon globes. Others are newcomers, such as Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey, who designed “It’s a Jungle Out There,” a kid-friendly tree adorned with glass animals.
“I lost a cousin to brain cancer in 1993, so it’s definitely something I wanted to work toward raising money for,” says Cavin-Winfrey.
Designer Brad Weesner teamed up with 17-year-old Kara Amey to create the “Modern Tree of Crystal.” Amey, now in total remission, was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was ten years old. She hopes to become an interior designer one day.
“She has a good eye for it,” said Weesner. “When you’re with someone else who’s creative, the sparks fly.”
The event will also feature gourmet-food tastings, music, and other entertainment plus cookie decorating and a visit from Santa Claus. In addition to the trees and vignettes, the silent auction will include vacation packages, spa treatments, sports tickets, and dinner gift certificates.
Georgetown Jingle will take place Sunday, December 13, from 4 to 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. Tickets are $150 per person, family packages are available for $350, children ages 3 to 18 are $50, and those under age two are free. For tickets and more information, visit georgetownjingle.com.
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