By Cathy Miller

On Dec. 12, Ed and Patti Sue Rossi hosted the 10th annual Rossi Festival of Trees, with friends, businesses, non-profits and even Santa sharing in the festivities. Ed is the owner and Patti Sue the Customer Care Manager at Rossi Chevrolet Buick GMC, located at 360 Route 31 South in Washington, where they relocated in 2006. Together, in addition to operating a highly successful dealership, they are – in this columnist’s opinion – two of the most genuine and generous people around.

Which brings us to the Rossi Festival of Trees. This annual holiday fundraiser to benefit Warren County charitable organizations invites attendees to walk amidst a “forest” of trees, each decorated by a different local sponsor, right on the showroom floor. Voting for their favorites, attendees also enjoy live holiday music, lots of scrumptious food and a touch of holiday magic.

Since its inception, the Rossi Festival of Trees has benefited Abilities of Northwest Jersey, a non-profit organization offering individualized employment and support services for persons with different abilities. The programs complement personal development with training activities in daily living, personal health, safety, socialization, decision-making and communication.

“We wanted to do a charity event and we had worked with Abilities and the Arc [of Warren County] in the past and they seemed like a good match to put together,” said Patti Sue.

This year also marked the second year where the other beneficiary of this major fundraiser is the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center (DASACC), a non-profit organization whose mission is to help, serve, and advocate for those impacted by interpersonal violence, to be proactive in its prevention, and to generate positive change. DASACC provides emergency shelter for those in Warren County in imminent danger, plus a 24/7 helpline, individual and group counseling, outreach, and trainings, among other things.

Since 2010, over $250,000 has been raised for these great organizations!

When it began 10 years ago, there were 14 decorated sponsor trees, including a Rossi tree, an Abilities tree, and an Arc tree to help fill the space, in the Rossi showroom, along with three cars. In just a decade, the Festival has overflowed the showroom and additionally incorporates the customer lounge, service drive, service reception, and the shop, with as many as 65 trees adorning the business one year.

This year, there were 59 festooned trees, ranging in theme from traditional to construction tools to the solar system to dental hygiene, along with personalized stars hung from the ceiling.

Patti Sue said that it wouldn’t be possible without the festival committee, comprised of “team Rossi and the two organizations, as well as many wonderful volunteers who help to make the magic happen!”

After ten years of holiday memories for the community and much needed support for local non-profits, what better time to celebrate Patti Sue and Ed Rossi and the Rossi Festival of Trees, than this holiday season.

The winners of this year’s Rossi Festival of Trees:

1st – Frank Rymon and Sons, Inc., Washington, Solar System
2nd – Gibson’s Fitness Center, Washington, Twelve Days of Christmas
3rd – John Johnson Auto Group, Washington, Military Branches

If you have recommendations for Cathy’s person of the week, please reach out to us at info@insidewarren.com