Hair Works Pros of Summerfield was the big winner at the Festival of Trees event held Wednesday evening at the Waterfront Inn.
The annual event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Special Olympics of Sumter County.
Jaime Klatt and Sue Charette of Hair Works Pros took the top honor with a Mardi Gras-themed Christmas tree. Hair Works Pros employees Samantha Watford and Valerie Smith took second place with their Snowman tree.
The event drew a fun, festive crowd. Klatt sang Christmas songs and hammed it up with guests who sipped cocktails and munched on hors d’oeuvres.
Festival of Trees helps pay for uniforms, equipment and transportation for athletes. Those attending the event had the opportunity to bid on the 25 decorated trees. Successful bidders got to take home the fully decorated trees.
Peg Robinson of Fruitland Park said Special Olympics has been lifechanging for her daughter, Jennifer.
It gives her self confidence and purpose, her mother said. And it has given her friends. That includes a boyfriend, Brian Kress of the Village of Tamarind Grove.
Special Olympics not only changed the daughter it changed the mother, too.
“I am getting my certification so I can be a coach in bowling,” she said.
Lovebirds Brian and Jennifer competed in bocce at the state games this past year. Brian took the bronze medal while Jennifer brought home the gold. Naturally, she rubbed it in.
Randy Siver of the Village of Pennecamp serves as athletic services coordinator for Special Olympics of Sumter County.
“Our focus has been on leadership,” he said. “We are making leaders out of our athletes.”
