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April 24
1962 - SCV residents vote to connect to State Water Project, creating Castaic Lake Water Agency (now part of SCV Water) [story]
Castaic Lake


| Monday, Nov 25, 2019
Attendees wander and wonder among the 38 full-sized and the 30 decorated table-top trees at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.
Attendees wander and wonder among the 38 full-sized and the 30 decorated table-top trees at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

 

The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley held its Festival of Trees fundraiser Saturday, a yearly tradition to mark the beginning of the holiday season for a number of Santa Clarita residents.

Although each Christmas tree and gingerbread house being auctioned off was created by different volunteers with different themes and ornamentation, every dollar went toward the same cause: raising money for kids who use the Boys and Girls Club.

“Anybody from the community can come by, view all of the beautifully designed trees, gingerbread houses, we have the kids corner activity going on for the kids to make all the cookies and crafts, and then live entertainment throughout the day,” said Matthew Nelson, chief executive officer for the Boys and Girls Club.

As people walked around the pavilion set up on one of the far ends of the mall, they scratched out bids on pieces of paper, with some bids reaching into the thousands of dollars range. People could do the same process for the gingerbread houses.

Nelson said there are two Boys and Girls Clubs in Santa Clarita, and both clubhouses will benefit from the funds raised during the events happening all weekend at the Festival of Trees at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

According to Nelson, 300 to 400 kids use the facilities every day and each one participates in programs as well as receives a snack after school.

Logan Feltes, 4, gets a close look at one of the 80 gingerbread houses on display at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

Logan Feltes, 4, gets a close look at one of the 80 gingerbread houses on display at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

“The membership for the club costs us $800 per kid, but we only charge $60 a year,” said Nelson. He added the kids are put on scholarships which allows them to come and participate in fun, safe activities all year round.

Nelson said the auction event — which featured trees done up in everything from winter themes to Star Wars characters — has been going on for nearly two decades, and can raise upwards of $200,000.

“All of our designers and gingerbread house makers are volunteers,” Nelson said. “It takes a small army to put this on.”

Nelson said the bidding for the trees is set to conclude at 5 p.m. Sunday, and people should head over before lunch tomorrow before the final rush comes in.

“We’re expecting a lot of people, but you don’t want to wait till the very end,” Nelson said. “At 5 p.m. we go one by one and close out, and sometimes we get some live auction bidding going on as we’re closing.”

Doors opened at 10 a.m. for the Sunday event.

Attendees enjoy the "Nightmare Before Christmas" decorated tree at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

Attendees enjoy the “Nightmare Before Christmas” decorated tree at the 17th Annual Festival of Trees held at the Westfield Valencia Town Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. | Photo: Dan Watson / The Signal.

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Tuesday, Apr 22, 2025
Time is running out for tickets and sponsorships for this year's Silver Spur celebration, which will honor Marlee Lauffer with the 2025 Silver Spur Community Service Award in recognition of her longtime support of College of the Canyons and her philanthropic contributions to the Santa Clarita Valley.
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2025
Ticketing will be closing April 24 for the 2025 Santa Clarita Valley Man & Woman of the Year Gala Event, which will be held on Friday, May 2. Seating is limited and tickets have sold out for the last two years, so buy now to guarantee your seat at the table.
Friday, Apr 18, 2025
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center invites the community to a free Open House on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, Apr 17, 2025
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital will recognize and celebrate its dedicated volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 20-26.
Thursday, Apr 17, 2025
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library are having a Spring Bag Sale Saturday, April 26 - Sunday, May 4.

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