RIVERSIDE, Calif.–More than 500 children made Christmas crafts and enjoyed “Story Time with Santa” recently during the 29th Annual Festival of Trees to raise funds for pediatric services at Riverside University Health System Medical Center. Altura Credit Union staffed and sponsored Story Time, which is part of the four-day festival.
Eight Altura employee volunteers assisted the hundreds of children as they made reindeer bell necklaces after listening to Santa Claus read them holiday-themed stories.
In addition, Altura fielded a volunteer team to decorate a “Rose & Gold” themed tree, one of 50 themed Christmas trees for the Festival of Trees. After the festival, the trees are purchased by individuals and businesses, with the funds going to Riverside University Health System.
The festival is a holiday highlight in Riverside, attracting more than 30,000 people over four days. It also is the single largest fundraising event for the Riverside University Health System Foundation, bringing in around $500,000. The funds are used for lifesaving equipment and programs for the Pediatric Unit, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the Child Abuse and Neglect Unit.