World of Energy announces ’15 Festival of Trees winner
From left, Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club member Kim Hornbeck, Duke Energy’s Andrew Beckner, club member Carole Landis, Collins Children’s Home’s Alena Pelfrey, club members Cathy Holmes, Kathleen Longsworth, Shari Roberts and Joy Lutz and Duke Energy’s Mikayla Kreuzberger stand in front of the Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club’s winning tree in the World of Energy’s Festival of Trees voting contest.
UPSTATE — Duke Energy’s World of Energy recently announced the Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club as the winner of its third annual Festival of Trees display voting contest, for which Duke Energy presented a $1,000 donation to the club’s nonprofit charity of choice.
The organization selected Collins Children’s Home and Family Ministries as the recipient of the Duke Energy donation.
“The Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club has supported the Collins Children’s Home for years,” club president Shari Roberts said. “We don’t just donate money, we tutor the children, take them on outings, decorate cookies with them, buy clothing when needed, etc. We are always ready, willing and anxious to help the children in any way possible.”
Roberts said last year her organization raised more than $18,000 for the children’s home.
“Collins Children’s Home is so excited to be the recipient of the $1,000 grant from the Festival of Trees. Donations like this allow us to continue providing a home, food, clothing and a nurturing environment for our children,” home executive director Alena Pelfrey said.
More than 1,500 guests voted for their favorite decorated Christmas tree at the World of Energy, the most votes ever for the holiday showcase. The event displayed 22 trees sponsored by Pickens County United Way; Oconee County United Way; the Cosmopolitan Woman’s Club; Oconee Heritage Center; Carolina Pizza Company; Toys for Tots; Oconee County Humane Society; Oconee County Public Library; Patio and Fireside Store; Friends of the Library; Oconee Christian Academy; Oconee County 4-H Club; Pilot Club of Seneca; Foothills YMCA; Oconee County Emergency Management; Tamassee Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) School; First Citizens Bank – Walhalla; Pickens County YMCA; ARC of Oconee County; Simplicity Salon and Spa; Thrift Hardware and Lumber and Oconee Nuclear Station’s Women in Nuclear Chapter.
“All of our participants put a lot of time and talent into their trees for their charities,” said Duke Energy spokesperson Mikayla Kreuzberger. “Duke Energy is fortunate to have this partnership with our community.”
Duke Energy’s World of Energy is an interactive education center that focuses on informing the public about energy production and the environment. All events and activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact (864) 873-4600 or visit www.duke-energy.com/worldofenergy.