"Christmas Tree Lane" smash hit "Christmas Tree Lane" smash hit (December 09, 2005)

Pleasanton's Suzanne Powers takes home Christmas decorations she won in a silent auction during ValleyCare Health System's annual Christmas Tree Lane, held this year at the Shrine Event Center in Livermore. Powers, who attended with her mom, Sally, paid $175 for two fruit-adorned topiaries which matched a wreath and garlands she'd already placed in her trunk.

Nearly 1,000 people showed up for the two day event Dec. 2 and 3. Patty Powers, Suzanne's sister, is with the ValleyCare Foundation and was an event organizer. She describes setting up for the event -- which featured multiple beautifully decorated Christmas trees, gift baskets, a tea, luncheon and more -- as "crazy, but fun."

Proceeds from the event benefit the hospital's Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center. ValleyCare is now tallying up just how much money was raised.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.