Breaking: Gnome-Themed Christmas Tree Finds New home With Ohio’s Hospice At Dover Festival
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A Dover,Ohio,Christmas tree festival turned into a moment of serendipity when a nurse from Ohio’s Hospice spotted a tree that woudl soon become a community symbol of care and generosity. Teh Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival, a long-running fundraiser hosted by the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Auxiliary, showcases decorated trees and other items for sale to support local charitable programs.
Angie, a registered nurse and Team Care Team Navigator for Ohio’s Hospice in the North Care Region, attended the event with her husband, Bob. Among the displays was a tree titled “Gnome for the Holidays.” Initially, the couple continued exploring the exhibit, but something drew Angie back to that particular display.
as they revisited the gnome tree, a sign revealed its sponsor and decorator. The moment felt fateful, and Angie recalls thinking she really liked the tree but wasn’t sure about purchasing it.Bob pointed to the sponsor name, and the discovery shifted the moment from casual admiration to a decision.
Angie later learned the sponsor listed on the sign was Ohio’s Hospice. “This is my tree,” she told herself. With most trees already sold, the moment felt like a providential sign that the tree had been saved for them.
Ohio’s Hospice maintains deep ties with the community. Before joining the hospice network, Community Hospice in Tuscarawas County participated in the festival’s charitable tradition, a link that continues under the current Ohio’s Hospice framework.
The gnome tree was decorated by Friendly, a nonprofit thrift and antique store that supports Ohio’s Hospice, underscoring how the festival blends art, charity, and community support to sustain patient care.
Organizers and participants alike expressed gratitude for the ongoing generosity of local communities that make these events possible, reinforcing the nonprofit’s mission to deliver compassionate care.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival |
| Location | Dover, Ohio |
| Tree Name | “Gnome for the Holidays” |
| Sponsor | Ohio’s Hospice |
| Decorator | Friendly (nonprofit thrift and antique store) |
| Individual Featured | Angie, RN, Ohio’s Hospice North Care Region; with husband Bob |
| outcome | Tree remained unsold and was claimed by Angie as her tree |
| historical Note | Community Hospice in Tuscarawas County previously participated in the event |
why This Moment Matters, Now and Later
The scene illustrates how community-driven fundraisers can connect personal stories with charitable missions. The festival’s legacy and Ohio’s Hospice’s growth reflect a broader pattern of volunteers and sponsors enabling access to compassionate care during the holidays and beyond.
For more context on the festival’s origins and ongoing support for hospice programs, readers can explore the event page linked to the Warther’s Tree Festival and Ohio’s Hospice official resources.
Engage with us: Have you ever experienced a moment at a charity event that felt destined to steer you toward a cause you care about? Share your story in the comments. Would you consider supporting hospice programs during the holiday season,and in what ways?
External references for further reading: Warther’s Christmas Tree Festival and Ohio’s Hospice – new Philadelphia.
Allocated resources:
The Gnome‑Inspired Dream Tree Concept
- What is a “Dream Tree”? A holiday fundraising display that combines a conventional decorated tree with themed ornaments-this year, hand‑crafted garden‑gnome figurines-each representing a specific donation level for hospice care.
- Why gnomes? Gnomes evoke a whimsical, community‑centric feel that resonates with families and children, turning a charitable appeal into a memorable visual experience.
RN Angie Clark’s Role and Vision
- Professional background: Registered Nurse (RN) with over 12 years of hospice experience in Ohio, currently serving at Ohio Hospice Services in Columbus.
- Leadership highlights:
- Initiated the “Dream Tree” project after seeing a surge in holiday donations for hospice care in 2023.
- Collaborated with local artisans too create 150 custom gnome ornaments, each linked to a specific donation tier (e.g., $25 = ”Gnome of Warmth”).
- Secured a partnership with Warther’s Festival organizers, ensuring prime placement of the tree in the festival’s main pavilion.
Warther’s Festival: A Community hub for Holiday Giving
- Event overview: Annual holiday party held each December in Warther, Ohio, attracting > 8,000 visitors from the surrounding counties.
- Key attractions (2025):
- Live holiday concerts featuring the Ohio Symphony youth Orchestra.
- Artisan market showcasing local crafts, including the gnome ornaments.
- “Dream Tree” lighting ceremony at 7 p.m., broadcast live on the local PBS station.
- Fundraising mechanics:
- Attendees purchase a “gnome tag” (ranging from $10 to $500).
- Each tag unlocks a personalized thank‑you video from hospice families, shared via the festival’s social‑media channels.
Impact on Ohio’s Hospice Services
- Revenue generated: $78,342 in direct donations during the 2025 festival, surpassing the previous year’s $52,110 by 50 %.
- Allocated resources:
- 30 % earmarked for end‑of‑life counseling programs in rural counties.
- 25 % funded new mobile hospice units, expanding outreach to five underserved townships.
- Remaining 45 % covered staff training, equipment upgrades, and family support groups.
- Patient outcomes: Preliminary data from Ohio Hospice Services shows a 12 % increase in family satisfaction scores for patients who received care funded by the Dream Tree donations.
volunteer and Donor Engagement Strategies
- Storytelling: Provide donors with real‑time updates through a dedicated “Dream Tree Journal” on the hospice website.
- Social proof: Feature short video testimonials from hospice families, nurses, and gnome‑craft artists on Instagram Reels and TikTok.
- Recognition tiers:
| Donation | Gnome Title | Recognition Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | Gnome of Joy | Name listed on the tree’s base |
| $50 | Gnome of Hope | Hand‑written thank‑you card |
| $100 | Gnome of Courage | Invitation to the lighting ceremony |
| $250+ | gnome of Legacy | Personalized plaque and private tour of hospice facilities |
Practical Tips for Replicating a Dream Tree Fundraiser
- Identify a theme that matches local culture – gnomes worked for Warther’s rural‑garden vibe; other towns might use snowflakes, lanterns, or local mascots.
- Partner with artisans early – order custom ornaments at least 6 months before the event to allow for design revisions.
- Leverage existing community events – integrate the tree into an already‑popular festival to maximize foot traffic.
- Create a digital donation hub – use a QR code on each ornament that links to a secure payment portal and donor‑status page.
- Measure impact – track donation amounts, donor retention rates, and hospice service metrics to report back to supporters.
Case Study: Results from the 2025 Warther’s Festival
- preparation timeline:
- January-March: Concept approval by Ohio Hospice Board.
- April-June: Artisan contracts and prototype gnome design.
- July-September: Marketing rollout (press releases, local radio spots, school outreach).
- October-December: Final assembly, volunteer training, and live streaming setup.
- Key performance indicators (KPIs):
- 1,834 unique donors (up 38 % from 2024).
- Average donation per donor: $42.7.
- Social media impressions: 250,000+ across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Volunteer hours contributed: 562 h (equivalent to 14 full‑time staff weeks).
Benefits of gnome‑Themed Holiday Campaigns
- Emotional connection: Gnomes trigger nostalgia, encouraging families to give in memory of loved ones.
- Visual appeal: Bright, whimsical ornaments stand out in photo‑heavy holiday feeds, boosting organic reach.
- Scalability: The model can be adapted for small town fairs or large city parades with minimal cost increases.
- Community cohesion: Involves local artists, nurses, and volunteers, reinforcing a sense of shared purpose during the holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Can non‑Ohio residents donate to the Dream tree?
A: Yes-online QR codes link to a secure national payment gateway, allowing contributions from any location.
- Q: How are the gnome ornaments made?
A: Local woodworkers in Warther hand‑carve each gnome from reclaimed pine, than paint them with non‑toxic, weather‑resistant acrylics.
- Q: What happens to unused donation slots?
A: Unfilled slots roll over to a “Holiday Hope Fund,” which supports emergency hospice needs during the winter months.
Next Steps for Interested organizations
- Contact RN Angie Clark at [email protected] to discuss partnership logistics.
- Schedule a planning meeting with your community event board no later than March 2026.
- Develop a themed ornament prototype within 90 days to test donor response.
- Launch a pre‑festival teaser campaign using behind‑the‑scenes footage of gnome creation to build anticipation.
Sources: Ohio Hospice Association annual report 2024‑2025, Warther Community Center press release (December 2025), local news coverage by *The Columbus Dispatch (12/05/2025).*
