Our Story

FRIENDS OF HOSPICE

Our History

The Christmas Festival of Trees is 40! The history of the Festival of Trees is rich with love and commitment to Talbot Hospice, a caring organization offering end of life care to our area’s residents. One of the early patients in hospice care was Mrs. Robert Fuller. Leslie Ware, her neighbor and friend and Midge Fuller, her daughter-in-law were instrumental in reaching out to hospice. Leslie had seen an article in “Southern Living” magazine about a Festival of Trees in Wilmington, NC. 

After the loss of Virginia Fuller in 1984, Leslie and Midge attended the Wilmington Festival of Trees. Together they founded Friends of Hospice and presented the idea of creating a Festival of Trees fundraiser for Talbot Hospice. The idea was welcomed with open arms and Leslie and Midge spent the next twelve months organizing committees, ordering supplies, speaking to local groups about hospice and recruiting local businesses and friends to support and participate. The result… in November 1985 a beautiful new tradition began in our community – The Festival of Trees.

ABOUT US

FRIENDS OF HOSPICE

Friends of Hospice was formed in 1985 to raise funds to benefit hospice patients and their families in Talbot County by hosting an annual fundraising event and to bring awareness to the community members about hospice care. This event continues to be immensely successful and is made possible through the work of hundreds of volunteers. The Festival annually assists with Hospice’s operating budget which benefits the terminally ill living in Talbot County.
Celebrating a successful Festival of Trees 2024, Talbot Hospice employees, Friends of Hospice board members and Festival of Trees committee chairmen gathered in congratulations, including Joanne Newmier (left, front), Emily Jackson, Leslie Ware, Brenda Forbes-Butler, Molly Kirsh, Karla Wieland-Cherry, Midge Menzies, Jennifer Latham (left, back), Ben Milone, Ursula Milone, Gail Shorter, David Cherry, Sarah Harris, Nancy Phillips, Dana McGrath, Holly Anderson, Chloe Milligan, Catherine Carouge, Sandy Chambers, and Mary Jane Meintzer. Those unable to attend the meeting included Dale Jafari, Pat Harvey, Trish Weise, Randy Bachand, Ryan Jacobson, Rebecca Saduk, Katie Brewer, Alisha Saulsbury, Randy Decker, Kristi English, Brenda Andrew, Allison Satchell, Bob Garrett, Paul Garrett, Jonathan Moore, Summer Moore, Avonda Rounds, Jessica Abbonizio, Carol Harrison, Dorri Gowe-Lambert, Susan Clifford, Kari Diefenderfer, Denise Haddaway, and Casey Rauch.

The Friends of Hospice has donated over 3.7 million dollars to the Talbot Hospice Foundation 
all generated from the Annual Festival of Trees event.

FRIENDS OF HOSPICE

OUR MISSION

Friends of Hospice was formed in 1985 to raise monies to benefit hospice patients and their families in Talbot County by hosting an annual fundraising event and to bring awareness to community members about Hospice Care.

WE REMEMBER & HONOR

HOSPICE MEMORIAL TREE

The centerpiece of the Festival is the Hospice Memorial Tree which is adorned with white doves holding the names of those Individuals who have passed away under Hospice care.

 

OUR AMAZING TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brenda Forbes-Butler
Dana McGrath
Carol Harrison
Catherine Carouge
Dorri Gowe-Lambert
Midge Menzies
Joanne Newmier
Casey Rauch
Alisha Saulsbury
Leslie Ware
Karla Wieland-Cherry
Sarah Harris
Katie Williams

2025 FESTIVAL OF TREES CHAIRS

Jessica Abbonizio
Holly Anderson
Brenda Andrew
Catherine Carouge
Sandy Chambers
David Cherry
Kristi English
Brenda Forbes-Butler
Bob Garrett
Paul Garrett
Pat Harvey
Dale Jafari
Zoe Keeter
Jennifer Latham
Midge Menzies
Chloe Milligan
Ursula and Ben Milone
Jonathan Moore
Summer Moore
Avonda Rounds
Allison Satchell
Gale Shorter
Patricia Weise
Karla Wieland-Cherry
Leslie Ware
Sandy Wieland

Friends of Hospice
P.O. Box 2052
Easton, MD 21601
talbotfestival@gmail.com
(410) 819-3378 (FEST)

CONNECT WITH THE FESTIVAL OF TREES

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