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Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz

A podcast about positive things happening in and around Washington County, Wisconsin

Washington County Humane Society’s Festival of Trees

A promotional graphic for the podcast “Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz” featuring the hosts of the Washington County Humane Society Festival of Trees episode. The background is light blue with text listing community names such as West Bend, Kewaskum, and Germantown in a subtle pattern. The logo “15MWF” is prominently displayed at the top, with the text “Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz” underneath. Below, a photo of two smiling people wearing headphones is shown, sitting in a recording studio. The episode title reads: “WCHS Festival of Trees, Season 4, Episode 17.

With Joe Poczkalski and Jessica Pillsbury

This week on Fifteen Minutes with Fuzz, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joe Poczkalski and Jessica Pillsbury from the Washington County Humane Society to talk about their signature holiday event, the Festival of Trees. If you’re looking for a way to dive into the holiday spirit while supporting a great cause, this is it.

Festival of Trees

The Festival of Trees is a holiday tradition that’s been bringing the community together since 1999. Over the past 25 years, it has raised nearly $1 million to support the Humane Society and help cover the medical needs of its shelter animals. That’s a lot of wagging tails and happy meows thanks to our community’s generosity.

The stars of the show are, of course, the beautifully decorated trees and wreaths. These are lovingly adorned by local individuals, groups, and businesses, and they’re up for raffle throughout the weekend. If you’re lucky enough to win one, they’ll even deliver it to you in time to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Here’s what you need to know if you want to attend this year:

  • Dates: Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $6 for kids aged 4–12.
  • Location: Washington County Humane Society – event details here.

The event is a true winter wonderland, complete with live music, delicious bakery treats, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about the Humane Society and its services. Whether you’re there to bid on a tree or just soak in the holiday vibes, it’s a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends.

One of the things I admire most about the Festival of Trees is how much it relies on the power of community. Volunteers play a huge role in making it all happen, from setting up the event to assisting with decorations and activities. It’s a reminder of how much good we can do when we come together.

The funds raised during the event go directly to supporting the animals at the shelter, particularly their medical needs. For these pets, that’s the difference between getting healthy and finding a forever home.

If you’ve got some time that weekend, I highly recommend stopping by. And if you’re interested in volunteering, I’m sure the Humane Society would love to have you.

Big thanks to Joe and Jessica for joining me on this week’s show! For more details about the event and how you can get involved, head over to wchspets.org.

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