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Created: November 14 2014

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  – More than 25 local businesses and not-for-profit organizations will take part in the 2nd annual HANDY's Festival of Trees, which will take place at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, November 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Attendees at this festive holiday soiree will sample wine and hors d' oeuvres while marveling at a winter wonderland of bedazzled trees, donated by Hayes Farms, which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

(left to right): Melissa Milroy, senior marking manager for The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, Jeremy Hayes, owner of Hayes Farms Christmas Trees, Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY

"It gives us such great pleasure to work with so many local businesses and other charitable organizations toward the common goal of supporting this dynamic community," said Beth Bryant, director of development for HANDY. "This is such a special time of year, which evokes the spirit of giving and we at HANDY are humbled by the outpouring of community support for this event."

Hundreds of holiday revelers will gather in the east wing of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale near Dillard's to enjoy live musical entertainment and bid on their favorite trees, which have been sponsored or decorated by area businesses, retailers and community organizations, such as BrightStar Credit Union, Community Bank of Broward, Ethan Allen, Florida Atlantic University, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Hayes' Farms, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Marsha and Alan Levy, Moss Construction, New River Daycare, OK Generators, Resolve Marine and The Wildgoose Family. Plus, guests will have the opportunity to win hotel stays, spa packages, gift baskets and more during a festive silent auction.

Young Professionals of Covenant House won the coveted Judge’s Choice Award during the 2013 HANDY’s Festival of Trees with their unique Frost-Tree the Snowman designA panel of esteemed judges, including Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Sheriff Scott Israel from the Broward Sheriff's Office, Mark Corbett, associate publisher at Gold Coast Magazine, Kelly Blanco, traffic reporter at WTVJ (NBC6) and Stacy Ostrau, publisher of Sun-Sentinel Society will select one organization's tree to be awarded a $1,000 donation to the not-for-profit of their choosing.

100% of the proceeds from this annual event will benefit HANDY, with 10 other local charitable organizations sharing in the spotlight: Bonnet House Alliance, DeGeorge Boys & Girls Club, Fort Lauderdale Children's Theatre, Island Paws Rescue, Jack & Jill Children's Center, Kids In Distress, The Pantry of Broward, United Way of Broward County | Mission United, Voices for Children of Broward benefiting Florida Guardian ad Litem and last year's champion Young Professionals of Covenant House.

HANDY'S Festival of Trees at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is sponsored in part by American Society of Interior Decorators, A Slice of Art, Broward Sheriff's Office, BrightStar Credit Union, Community Bank of Broward, Ethan Allen, Florida Atlantic University, Gold Coast Fort Lauderdale, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, GrayRobinson, Havana Coffee & Tea, Hayes' Farms, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Marsha and Alan Levy, McCormick Distilling, Moss Construction, New River Daycare, OK Generators, Resolve Marine, The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale and The Wildgoose Family.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.HANDYinc.org or calling (954) 522-2911, ext. 208.