An old holiday tradition is the ritual of waiting until Christmas Eve to put up the Christmas tree.

As the children slept, parents would decorate the tree and place the gifts underneath. Upon wakening, the thrill of seeing the tree for the first time in all its glory was part of the sparkle and wonder of Christmas morning for the children.

Although it is no longer a common practice, the sheer amazement at seeing the brightly decorated tree often made more of an impact on the eyes of the children than the sight of the presents underneath it.

Every year Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center allows people of all ages to experience that same wonder through the annual Festival of Trees. As eyes adapt to the bright splendor of lights and sparkle, the magic of Christmas strikes us all with the same delight as that first sight of a decorated tree on Christmas morning.

With events varying from a formal gala to Senior Day, the Festival of Trees helps herald in the holidays for the Treasure Valley. Starting on Tuesday with the Gala, the Boise Centre then becomes the place for families and fun until closing with the Luncheon and Fashion Show on Monday, Nov. 30. Admission to the Festival of Trees and daily activities is $6 for adults, $3 for children (12 and under), and $4 for seniors (62 and older). A family pass for six individuals is available for $25. Tickets to the Gala are $250/person. Tickets to the Luncheon and Fashion Show are $50/person. Tickets to Breakfast with Santa are $12 for children and $16 for adults. $2 Senior Day is Wednesday.

A complete schedule of events is available at www.saintalphonsus.org (select the Festival of Trees link on the home page). Funds raised from the Festival of Trees help support the Saint Alphonsus Foundation's mission to improve and enhance the medical center's delivery of high quality health care. For more information, visit www.saintalphonsus.org or call 367-2759.

IDAHO FOODBANK - EMPTY BOWLS

Breaking bread in celebration is a deeply rooted tradition in our country to symbolize thanks for the blessings we are provided with in America. At this time of year, in particular, we gather over tables teeming with turkey, stuffing, sides and pie, looking forward to Mom's perfect gravy and our cousin's green bean casserole.

Across Idaho, there are families who are gathering, but their tables may be bare. Idaho is ranked 27th worst overall for childhood food insecurity, with 16.6 percent of Idaho children at risk for hunger at any given time. Every day, 68,306 Idaho children are not assured that they will be provided with a meal because of the constraints of their families' financial resources.

The Idaho Foodbank works with a network of food pantries and kitchens across the state to help feed our neighbors. Demand on these services is currently up about 30 percent, and the food pantries and the food bank are facing a crisis in trying to keep the shelves stocked.

Luckily, you can help make sure Idaho children are fed and Idaho families' basic needs are met. Enjoy a fantastic post-Thanksgiving meal at Empty Bowls, a great holiday tradition. Bowl prices start at $10, you can pick a hand-painted ceramic treasure and enjoy soup from some of Boise's finest restaurants. While you fill your own stomach with a warm, nutritious meal, you are helping to feed 30 other people.

Empty Bowls will be dishing out the holiday cheer on Friday from 11 a.m until 6 p.m. - or while supplies last - along Boise's Grove Plaza. Let your nose guide you, and bring the whole family. You can continue the cycle of giving thanks with your children, and help make sure more Idaho families are able to give thanks for their blessings this holiday season.

For information, visit www.idahofoodbank.org.

OTHER EVENTS

SNIP - Boise's Holiday Parade Goes to the Dogs: Saturday; www.snipidaho.org or 968-1338.

SNIP - Doggone Cool Chair Affair: Tuesday, Dec. 1 - Thursday, Dec. 31; www.snipidaho.org or 968-1338.

Annual Alternative Gift Market Supporting Various Charities: Sunday, Dec. 6; 345-8269.

The River's Concert for Cause Benefiting Canyon County Community Clinic: Wednesday, Dec. 16; www.riverinteractive.com or 344-3511.

Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza Benefiting Interfaith Sanctuary: Sunday, Dec. 20; www.curtisstigers.com

Record Exchange Munnys Silent Auction - Benefiting Interfaith Sanctuary: Ends Sunday, Dec. 20.

Camp Rainbow Gold - Super Bowl Raffle: Thursday, Dec. 31; www.camprainbowgold.org or 422-0176.

Boise Life - New Year's Eve Fundraiser: Thursday, Dec. 31; www.boiselife.org.

ONLINE AUCTIONS

Bogus Basin Ski Education Foundation - Online Auction: Ongoing until Nov. 30; http://bbsef.auctionfrogs.org/auction.

National Ski Patrol - Online Auction: Ongoing until Dec. 9; http://nsp.auctionfrogs.org/auction.

Idaho Botanical Garden - Online Auction: Ongoing until Jan. 11, 2010; http://www.auctionfrogs.org/auctions.

Share fundraising events for your 501(c)(3) organization at info@divasforadifference.com. Download podcast interviews with members of the Treasure Valley nonprofit community at http://radio.boisestate.edu/DivasforaDifference.html.