Festival of Lights annual tradition for command sergeant major

Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Breck of the 807th Medical Command wraps a Christmas tree in cellophane so it can be shipped to a local business or home in the Salt Lake City area Dec 6. The tree was bid on and auctioned off at the annual holiday event, the Festival of Trees. All money raised at the event goes towards the medical needs of children at the Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. (Courtesy Photo)  

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, UNITED STATES

12.06.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Erik Fardette 

807th Medical Command (Deployment Support)

SALT LAKE CITY - As a state trooper, Soldier and community volunteer, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert B. Breck of the Army Reserve 807th Medical Command, makes his life all about serving. During the holiday season, Breck makes it a priority to give back to his local community. One of the ways he does that is to volunteer his personal time, annually, at the Festival of Trees in Salt Lake City.

The Festival of Trees is a holiday fund raising event, with every penny raised benefiting children at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. This year the event ran from Dec. 3 to Dec. 6. Breck and wife, Michelle, join forces with other volunteers each year to bid on Christmas trees that are auctioned off. The occasion has become a tradition for the Brecks.

“I do it for the kids, to help the sick kids. There’s nothing better than helping those kids,” stated Michelle.

The Breck family has been involved with the Festival of Trees for eight consecutive years. The Brecks typically purchase one tree each year, but this year they decided to buy two.

“It’s a great cause, it’s a good thing. They make a lot of money out of this, millions of dollars. All these trees are donated by families or businesses and all the proceeds go to the Primary Care Children’s Hospital to help with the children’s medical needs,” said Breck.

Robert and Michelle volunteered at the Festival of Tress until one in the morning on the final night of this year’s event. With help from a team of volunteers, they wrapped several trees in cellophane so the trees could be picked up and transported to local homes and businesses throughout communities in the Salt Lake City area.

The Festival of Trees featured more than 800 decorated trees, wreaths, quilts, playhouses, gingerbread creations and activities for children, delicious goodies and handmade gifts. Every tree is donated and then auctioned at the event.

Last year, over $1.8 million was raised during the Festival of Trees for children at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

• Date Taken: 12.06.2014
• Date Posted: 12.23.2014 20:58
• Story ID: 151032
• Location: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US
• Hometown: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US