Festival of Giving Celebrates First Year at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast

Festival of Giving Celebrates First Year at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
This year, The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast proudly hosted the Festival of Giving, bringing the beloved event home after 16 successful years with Tykes and Teens under the name Festival of Trees and Lights. At its new location, the Festival embraced a refreshed mission and direction, championed by the vision of Executive Director Tammy Calabria.
Many small but impactful nonprofits in our community often lack a physical platform to share their mission. The Festival of Giving was created to spotlight and support these organizations while simultaneously raising funds and awareness for the Museum’s numerous programs. Through this event, the Museum reaffirms its mission to provide all children, regardless of abilities, the opportunity to experience the joy of imagination and play alongside their families and caregivers while also enhancing their educational experiences both in the classroom and at the museum. 
The Festival invited local nonprofits with missions centered on children, families, and education from the five counties the Museum serves: Okeechobee, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach, to participate.  43 nonprofits, including the museum, participated in 2024.  
Participants, including local businesses, community members, and nonprofits, decorated and donated 72 stunning trees, wreaths, and centerpieces, many paired with additional gifts valued at hundreds or thousands of dollars. The event was an unprecedented success in its inaugural year at the Museum, raising over $57,000, with just over $22,000 distributed among 43 participating nonprofits.
Each nonprofit received funds based on the proceeds generated by their donated items, offering vital support to smaller organizations that often lack substantial grants or government funding. Beyond financial aid, the Festival created opportunities for awareness, connection and collaboration among nonprofits and attendees. Jenny Fee, Community Outreach Representative for Treasure Coast Hospice, described the event as "a thoughtfully strategic collaboration of tender & generous hearts." She highlighted the meaningful connections made, including how one nonprofit’s mission, Team Miranda Strong, directly impacted a Treasure Coast Hospice staff member whose child is battling asthma.
The Festival of Giving united the community and amplified the voices of many nonprofits, setting the stage for years to come.  Guests attending the Festival often commented on how many incredible nonprofits they were unaware of in our community.  They were not only overjoyed by the beauty of the Festival but by the impact one event was having on so many.
In addition to a week of guests having the magical opportunity to enjoy the Festival, the museum kicked off the week with a Council of Chambers Networking Breakfast, hosted a Let's Hear It event in partnership with WPTV, enjoyed a visit with T.A. Walker for his segment Shine a Light on WPTV, family night and wrapped up the week with an adult cocktail party with the recommended attire of holiday pajamas!
The success of this year’s event was made possible by generous sponsors, including presenting sponsors Gina Staten, The Ngo Group, and Illustrated Properties; breakfast sponsor Colorado Pawn & Jewelry; family night sponsor Florida Blue and cocktail party sponsor Elder Home Care Services.  The event was further supported by numerous businesses and individuals with huge hearts.
Looking ahead, the 2025 Festival of Giving will run from Wednesday, November 12, to Saturday, November 22, with extended dates and hours to accommodate more visitors and performances by local groups. Stay tuned to our website and social media for updates.
For sponsorship opportunities or to donate a tree, wreath, or centerpiece to benefit a nonprofit of your choice for the 2025 Festival, please contact Event Coordinator Christina McIntosh at 772-225-7575 ext. 205 or christina@childrensmuseumtc.org. Planning for 2025 has already begun!