By Elijah Mckenzie
The Louisville Slugger Field became home to the Festival of Trees and Lights on Nov. 20, which ushered in the start of the holiday season for the community, and continued until Nov. 22.
An event that started in 1989 with a small group of volunteers from Kosair Children’s Hospital, the Festival of Trees and Lights became a way for the community to get involved with the spirit of giving. Decorated trees, wreaths and other handcrafted holiday items are some of the many gifts for sale in the Slugger Field, with proceeds benefiting Kosair.
“The lights component makes us unique,” said Leslie Buddeke, director of major gifts for the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Norton Healthcare. “In addition to Christmas celebrations, we also center the activities and decorations upon the customs of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.”
Every year, the committee for the Festival of Trees and Lights chooses a Kosair project to sponsor. The choice for 2009 was the neonatal intensive care unit.
Buddeke, a University of Louisville graduate, was the third chairman in the history of the event to lead the Festival of Trees and Lights. During her time as chairman, Buddeke managed the implementation of a fixed-wing aircraft for Kosair, used to transport children to Louisville from anywhere in the state.
“Nearly 25 years ago, the airplane was needed to bring a child from eastern Kentucky to Kosair,” said Buddeke. “Unfortunately, there was no place available for the plane to land. So several people in the town banded together and used their car headlights to illuminate a field to let the plane pick up a child that was in critical need.”
The fixed-wing airplane venture, much like the neonatal intensive care unit project this year, drew funding through the Festival of Trees and Lights.
“Seeing all the volunteers work together to raise funds for the hospital is a rewarding experience,” said Kristin Bloom, incoming chairwoman for the festival. “But the greatest benefit of the event is the effect it has on the lives of the children.”
U of L student volunteers hold a strong presence among other community helpers at the festival. Students from athletic groups, such as rowing, golf and tennis, have assisted with children’s activities and other events in Slugger Field, according to Bloom.
Joe and Dottie Kuhr, a married couple that has volunteered for the event since the mid-90s, have also worked side-by-side with fraternity and sorority students from U of L.
“Everyone from the entire community comes together for the children,” said Dottie Kuhr. “Students, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and others who simply care enough to help out.”
Joe Kuhr added, “Kosair tries to take care of the entire family. But they especially help the children.”
