Christmas Tree Festival to Benefit Homeless Shelter

Christmas Tree Festival to Benefit Homeless Shelter

City of Rochelle employees are excited to announce the 7th Annual Christmas Tree Festival! All proceeds raised from the event will benefit Rochelle’s Homeless Shelter.

The Festival will feature Table Top Christmas Trees, Gift Baskets, Holiday Wreaths and Swags, Centerpieces and more! The Festival will be held December 3-7 throughout City Hall. The community is welcome to visit City Hall each day between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to view and bid on the items. The Christmas Tree Festival Silent Auction comes to a close on Friday December 7th at 6:30 p.m.

Individuals and organizations are welcome to donate a decorated tree, wreath, gift basket, or centerpiece for the silent auction. If you would like to donate items for a Gift Basket, volunteers will assemble a basket for you. All deliveries must be made by Friday November 30th.

Rochelle’s Homeless Shelter, The Rochelle Area Community Emergency Shelter owned and operated by Gloria & Pete Pascua, is the only one in Ogle County. The Shelter provides three levels of residence – emergency shelter, transitional shelter and transitional housing. Residents receive job training, resume preparation, employment assistance, counseling, education, and a Post Shelter Care Network. The shelter is not state or federally funded because any individual is allowed, not only those from Ogle County. The Pasquas rely on their personal income, donations (both monetary and in-kind) from the community and agencies with which they share a common purpose such as Hand-In-Hand, the Presbyterian Thrift Shop and the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry.

When an individual comes to the Homeless Shelter for assistance, the Police Department is first contacted to ensure the individual has no outstanding warrants. Most people who come to the shelter come with only the clothing on their back. They frequent garage sales and local thrift shops for clothing and household items. They are also provided with a towel, wash cloth, bedding and toiletries. Residents are allowed to take those items with them as they leave the shelter so these items are always in demand. Mr. & Mrs. Pasqua purchase bicycles at garage sales for transportation that residents use to get to interviews, work and the Laundromat.

Registration forms may be obtained at City Hall or at www.cityofrochelle.net. Forms may be dropped off at City Hall or e-mailed to Jenny Thompson at by November 30th. For additional information, please call 815-561-2006.

 Christmas Tree Festival Registration Form – 2012