Janine Iacolo (far left) with other members of the Agawam Junior Women’s Club at the 2009 Festival of Trees. The theme was “Going Green.”
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
AGAWAM — Volunteer work and giving back to the community is something that has always been a passion for Janine Iacolo. It’s no surprise that a favorite charitable holiday event for her and her family is sponsoring a Christmas tree for the annual Festival of Trees.
The festival, which is the largest fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, is a 24-year holiday season event in downtown Springfield. It features more than 100 beautifully decorated artificial trees. Each tree is uniquely decorated and donated by local businesses, organizations and individuals like Iacolo and her family.
All trees and gift items from each tree are raffled off at the end of the two-week event, with all proceeds benefiting services for kids at the club. This year’s goal is $350,000.
Iacolo began participating in the festival 20 years ago when she joined the Agawam Junior Women’s Club. She was appointed chair of the committee that was sponsoring a tree at the festival as a community service project.
“I felt strongly that this event was not just for the women’s club directly, but for the greater good of the community, especially children,” said the Agawam resident.
When the women’s club decided it would no longer sponsor a tree for the festival, Iacolo and her family took it over. “The festival has always been a family affair ever since I started with AJWC. My family was part of tree decorating along with members of the women’s club,” said Iacolo.
Iacolo said the event is important to the club because the money raised helps children who attend their programs. Membership costs children aged 6 to 18 just $40 per school year and there are many programs available for kids.
Prior to becoming an Agawam teacher, Iacolo had taught in Springfield for many years. Iacolo said several of her students attended the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield after school. “I know how valuable this club is for children, offering them a safe and supportive environment. I will continue to sponsor a tree as long as my family wants to do it,” she said. “My kids, nieces, nephews — and now their children — are all a part of what has become one of our favorite holiday traditions.”
Each year, Iacolo and her family come up with a different theme. “I try to come up with a theme that everyone can agree on, that is original and that people will like. That is my greatest challenge. But I really enjoy watching everyone decorating the tree and watching the tree come together,” said Iacolo.
Typically, she has a theme in mind by the start of fall. However, this year, with the arrival of her first granddaughter in March, the theme took a very “momentous” change. “It’s A Girl” became the theme of a pink Christmas tree. In addition to the tree and its decorations, the raffle winner of Iacolo’s tree will also receive a gift basket filled with more than 20 baby-related items as well as a $100 Target gift card.
The Iacolo family tree also was special in another way this year. It was the first year their tree won an award. “It’s very exciting to be chosen as the winner of the 2024 Festival of Trees Best Family or Group,” said Iacolo.
Every year on the day after Christmas, Iacolo heads to the stores to look for deals on decorations and trees. “I buy what I find, sometimes with a theme in mind, but often without a thought of what a theme might be until my family gets together to talk about it,” she said. Iacolo estimates that since her family has been part of the event, the donated value of the trees, decorations and gifts has totaled more than $5,000. She estimates that they spend between $300 and $400 each year.
Iacolo currently has two trees and enough decorations for at least four trees. “I could complete a tree with a dinosaur theme and enough decorations to do a tree with woodland creatures or a sea theme. I have so many options and I’m always looking s for the next idea,” she said.
Sarah Gumaer, special events and marketing director for the club, said repeat sponsors such as the Iacolos are usually the most dedicated donors at the festival. “We love having repeat donors each year. They seem to be the most dedicated to the theme and decorations. And we love being a part of family holiday traditions. Each year we get a nice mix of repeat donors and new ones. It keeps it magical.”
The festival runs through Dec. 15 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield. General admission is $5 and seniors pay $4. There is no charge for children under 12 or for active military/veterans and their families. For more information, go to treeraffle.com.
