The Festival of Trees fundraiser for Weyburn's Family Place finished yesterday with a live auction at Great Plains Ford, the location of this year's festival.

"Once again the Festival of Trees was over-the-moon-amazing," said Dawn Gutzke, Executive Director for the Weyburn Family Place.

"The Ford showroom was filled with people supporting us. It was just a wonderful evening all in all."

Gutzke said how there were twenty-two trees in the auction, which had been on display all week.

"As well, we had a furniture set from new age and a gift card for $1500 from New age."

The grand total for the evening was $52,000.

The highest amount auctioned for the tree, for the event went to Barber Motors for $4100. The tree was donated by Southern Glass Works.

"We also had five trees donated back that we can find families for, which is amazing," added Gutzke, who went on to talk about how the funds are used.

"The money from Festival of Trees is something really important to us. It basically covers all the costs that grants or other things can't fund, lots of overheads. So it truly does keep our doors open at the family place."

Gutzke also mentioned that the biggest tree in the room was bought for $3000 by Great Plains Ford. The tree was donated by Keywell Servicing.

"That was another huge tree for us last night."

Pierre and Shirley Mondor also donated $25,000 to The Family Place in memory of their Grandson, Dylan Smith who passed away earlier this Spring.

Gutzke is grateful for the support.

"A huge thank you first of all to everyone who donated a tree, who donated a silent auction item, our volunteers who worked the whole two weeks, everyone who was here bidding last night, to this whole community, Jeff Toszak with Ford. I can't thank everyone enough for this amazing event. It truly means the world to all of us at the Family Place, and the love and support is something we can't go without, so thanks to everyone."

This was the 18th year for the Festival of Trees for the Family Place, in Weyburn.

Gutzke gave a speech last night and said how the first Festival of Trees took place at The Credit Union and raised $12,000.

The festival has taken place in the Weyburn Mall and raised anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000.

"In 2012, we moved into the Barber Motors showroom and hit many record-breaking amounts with the 2014 event raising $80,000."