This year is the 19th annual Family Support Network of Eastern NC’s Festival of Trees. Each year, in December, we have close to 100 trees on display at the Greenville Convention Center, Greenville North Carolina. The Sponsors names are displayed next to the tree and the artificial trees re sponsored by local businesses, agencies and individuals to advertise their business, or in honor/memory of an individual or group. Trees are sponsored at different categories and decorated accordingly. Some trees are decorated by the business and they bring staff and have a party while decorating. Other trees are decorated by school groups, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, ECU and PCC students, fraternities and sororities. Other trees are decorated by the individual sponsor.

Each year the themes vary and our decorators are very creative in the theme that is carried out from the top of the tree to the tree skirt. If you are interested in sponsoring a tree or decorating a tree please contact us and we will be glad to get you involved. brendafamilysupport@gmail.com

The trees are on display until just before Christmas and open during the normal working hours of the Greenville Convention Center. Admission is free.

Angel Boberg Webb Memorial Scholarship recipient Lorenda Shantz.

Bryan Howard the Family Support Network of Eastern NC scholarship recipient to attend Pitt Community College

FSNENC special guests, Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Story Time with Santa.

Story Time with Santa.  Santa and Mrs Claus read, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to the children before they have a professional picture with Santa and Mrs Claus. Pictures are taken by ASAP Photo and Camera in Greenville NC.

See all the wonderful trees in their spender in our Festival of Trees Showcase post.

New Bern NC, June 13-15, for families who have a child, 2-12 years of age with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities.

The Family Support Network of Eastern NC had the opportunity to be with families in New Bern NC, at the “Families Realizing Resources Together”. A wonderful group of families, some we were meeting for the first time, and others we have known for years. Thank you to East Carolina Behavioral Health for inviting us to attend the conference enabling us to be available to provide support and resources for families.

Wykeemia Braxton, a graduate of J.H. Rose High School is the recipient of the 2014-2015 Family Support Network of Eastern NC Pitt Community College Scholarship.

These scholarships are made possible with funds raised during our Festival of Trees.

The 19th Annual Preview Party will be held Friday, December 5 at the Greenville Convention Center.  Tickets must be purchased in advance, $60 per person or $75 per couple.  Tree sponsors receive two complimentary tickets to the event.

A live and silent auction are part of the evening festivities.  Some of the items that will be auctioned are a weekend stay in Ocracoke (during off season), a fishing trip in Ocracoke, Jeannie B. schooner cruise for 25 in Washington NC, Pig Pickin,  and a CPW chef to come to your home and prepare a meal.

Worth and Darlene Worthington, Ayden NC, and Mike and June Richardson

The Family Support Network of Eastern NC made it’s very first Parent-to-Parent match in 1987 between the Worthington’s, whose son, David, has cerebral palsy and the Richardson’s, whose son, Tyler, has Lowes Syndrome.

Jennifer Little, Greenville Grapevine Radio Host, serving as emcee for the evenings event.

The Sutton family and they were one of our support parents.

Dr. Georgia Hennessy and daughter, Caroline

Dr Higginson and Dr. Jason Higginson, with Dr. Matt LeDoux (Vidant Medical Center)

Tar River Band of Eastern NC

Don and Lois Wilson, and Donna Wilson

Dr. Gary Stainback (ECU and past director of the Children’s Developmental Services Agency) with Hilton staff

Dewane Fruitger (ASAP Photo and Camera) with June and Mike Richardson (Service Roofing and Sheet Metal)