Dear Donations Coordinator:

My name is Brenda Lacaire and I am the Chairman of the Festival of {Giving} Trees (FOGT). This year we will be celebrating our Silver Anniversary, 25 years of raising money for breast cancer research and support services. Hours of planning and preparation, with our 100% volunteer committee plus hundreds of volunteers, make this all possible. The generosity of local industry, retail businesses (large and small) and countless individuals that live and work in our community powers our determination to fundraise to beat breast cancer! We started small in 1998, raising $8,000 to donate to two recipient agencies. We expanded in 2004 to include The Cancer Center at UMass Memorial Harrington Hospital. Our 2021 FOGT events allowed us to donate a record $63,000. Over 24 years we have donated $793,000 to our charity beneficiaries.

The Giving Trees for Life, Inc., our corporate umbrella for The Festival of {Giving}Trees 501 (c) (3)  charity, raises money by holding a few events each year. They are the 4 Day Festival of (Giving) Trees Event in December, a Breast Cancer Awareness Month Event and a Fall Family Fun Oktoberfest. The proceeds of these events go to three charitable beneficiaries: Silent Spring Institute and Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, whose work focuses on cancer causing research and prevention and The Cancer Center at UMass Memorial Harrington Hospital, who uses their donation to purchase equipment and provide comfort items that help patients during cancer treatment. We also provide funding to develop educational materials, including a health awareness application, which teaches children and adults how to make better choices when selecting what they put in and on their bodies. 

I realize you receive many requests for donations on a regular basis. As a business owner myself, I have been on the receiving end of those requests. Sometimes it’s hard to choose who you can help. We hope you will choose to help our cause. This event draws thousands of people, especially during the 4 Day FOGT Event in December. Admission for the event is minimal at $3, free for children 12 and under and free for Seniors on Friday. Best of all, you do not need to spend a lot of money to enjoy a day at the Festival of {Giving} Trees. That is because of people like you, providing funding for entertainment, refreshments, Kids Grab Bags, raffles and much more. If possible, please consider this request to help sponsor one of our events. Your donation would be recognized and viewed by attendees live, online and on all of our social media marketing.

The Donation Form can be PRINTED AND MAILED to us at PO Box 387, Sturbridge MA 01566 or you can simply FILL THE FORM OUT AND SUBMIT IT ONLINE.

Please call or text Brenda or Janet should you have any questions.  Thank you for your consideration.

Brenda Lacaire (508) 479-2350

Janet Garon (774) 230-7382

Please note:  The Giving Trees for Life, Inc. is a non-profit agency as defined by section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Since your gift did not result in any benefit to you, it is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Please retain this letter for tax purposes.  Please consult with your tax advisor.  Our Federal Tax ID: (04-3528815)