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ACT for MS 2008 A Stroll Down Christmas Tree Lane |
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Written by Pat Krause
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Friday, 12 December 2008 |
 ACT for MS 2008 — Stroll Down Christmas Tree Lane
Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
December 11, 2008
Story and photos by Pat Krause
The Eighth Annual Stroll Down Christmas Tree Lane event was held at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa on Thurs., Dec. 11, 2008. The resort and General Manager Victor Woo, sponsored the party. Norma Greer-Fishking was the honored guest. She is the daughter of founder Gloria Greer, a celebrity in her own right here in the desert. Greer’s other daughter, Ann Greer, is on the board of directors.
Act for MS was born when Norma Greer was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This is a crippling disease, and no cure has been found yet. All proceeds from the sale of these trees go to Act for MS to help those people living with this disease. Act for MS provides physical therapy, mobility devices, financial assistance and emotional support to valley residents.
 The many Christmas trees commissioned by celebrities were sold either in a silent or live auction on the event’s final. The Christmas trees were on display at Rancho Las Palmas for several days prior to their sale. This gave bidders a chance to pick out their favorite tree in advance. They put bids on the silent auction and hoped they would be the lucky ones with the largest bid on their particular tree. They also had a chance to bid on many of the trees in a live auction.
 The Christmas trees were lined around the room at the resort during the auction. Guests were given a Christmas tree paddle to make their bids. Jack Jones emceed the event again this year with help from Carol Channing, Ruta Lee and Carol Connors. All the attending celebrities appeared on stage after the auction to sing “America the Beautiful.”
The incomparable Channing made her yearly visit to this event to show her support for this great cause. Other celebrities were in the audience and some had a Christmas tree they sponsored. The price of the trees ranged in the low hundreds to the high of $5,000. The trees were decorated in various sizes, styles and colors, so there was a type of tree for everyone. Trees were decorated with autographed photos, CDs. Teddy Bears, books and dolls. Some also included tickets to concerts, hotel stays, dinners and other items. These were much more than just Christmas trees. Many were one-of-a-kind items that go along with the trees. Imagine autographed CDs and tickets for the Barry Manilow show or hotel stays in Mexico, dinners at local restaurants, autographed books by a favorite author or actor, and even wines and colognes. These items used to decorate the trees make them unique.
 Carolers singing Christmas songs sang for the guests as they entered the sale area and also sang for the patrons as they dined on a delicious dinner in one of the ballrooms.
Act for MS is a nonprofit charity that provides free programs for those with multiple sclerosis in the Coachella Valley.
Special thanks to the staff and management of Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa for their assistance.
For more Pat Krause photos of the ACT for MS 2008 Stroll Down Christmas Tree Lane event, click here.
For more information about ACT for MS, click here.
For more information about Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, click here
For more information about Jack Jones, click here.
For more information about Carol Channing, click here.
For more information about Ruta Lee, click here.
For more information about Carol Conners, click here.
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Pat Krause |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 December 2008 )
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