Bailey Institute

History of The Bailey Institute's Tree Trimming Party
Celebrating Giving with a Treasure Trove of Traditions

Jennifer Bailey and Joanne Gula were homesick graduate students in Columbus, Ohio, in 1973 when they launched the first Tree Trimming Party. With little extra money on hand they agreed to make everything from scratch, including the welcome drink, Wassail, and get the best live 'Charlie Brown' tree they could afford. Guests brought ornaments and trimmed the tree. Three traditions were born, enduring to the 35th year in 2007...

Wassailing - the beverage and the blessing
The Tree Trimming Party
An exquisite menu of delectable foods

Jennifer's academic advisor, John J. Makay, professors and graduate students from Ohio State Unversity's Department of Communications attended. "I was surprised and heartened by the turnout," said Jennifer. 'It's evidence Joanne and I had sensed a real void and in fulfilling it met the needs of many others." Jim Seward's wooden soldier, Amy's blond angel, and a fabric ice cream cone are surviving relics of that first event. Chuck Bantz strung cranberry and popcorn garlands and John Wright ate volumes of Joanne's 'snowball' cookies. Laura Lee Bailey, Jennifer's five year old daughter struck a high note for diversity in pronouncing, "Mummy, there are brown people and yellow people and white people here." "Yes," chimed Jennifer, "How wonderful!"

Tree Trimming Parties thenceforth reflected a rich, diverse, gathering of people, transcending social status, professions, cultures, and encompassing global food, music and traditions. These traditions have intertwined over the years to earn for the Tree Trimming Party the tagline, "Most glorious evening of the holiday season."

Including Columbus, Ohio, The Tree Trimming Party has been hosted by Jennifer or Joanne in eleven different communities across the United States: Chicago, IL; Silver Spring, MD; Ponca City, OK; Ithaca, NY; Houston, TX; Fullerton, CA; Columbia, MD; Cincinnati, OH; Mayville, ND; Bangor, ME; and Hagerstown, MD, since 2004.

New Traditions:
In 1982, at Columbia, Maryland, carol-singing was added and book parties honored Wilfred Cartey during his lifetime. Heidi Grundmann introduced the Germanic tradition of placing lit wax candles on the tree as guests sing, 'O Tannenbaum' and raised champagne toasts.

In 1993, with more ornaments than a single home could contain Jennifer convened her family, suggested that in lieu of the revered ornament tradition guests should bring money, don 'Black Tie' attire and make a donation to a named charity.

BENEFICIARIES: The Cincinnati Opera (First-1993); Mayville State University, ND; The National Underground Railroad, Cincinnati; St. Joseph's High School, Trinidad; St. David's Elementary School, Tobago; The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; The Coterie of Social Workers, San Fernando, Trinidad; Cultural Academy for Excellence, Maryland; St. Clair School, Haiti and Bogbeh Village, Liberia, and the John R. Marsh Cancer Center, Hagerstown, MD, (2007).

In 2006, the Christmas Shoppes provide unique holiday gifts guest can purchase and beyond adding charm to the event, provides a new revenue stream for The Institute and its beneficiary. Other features introduced in 2006 include a violin concert and a DVD presentation of past tree trimming parties. The spirit of the event is electric as old friends and new are wassailed by Jennifer, mingle, browse, trim the tree, sing carols, delight in fine cuisine, dance to global rhythms and culminate the evening with firm plans to return the following year.

In 2007, the trumpeted candlelight procession and limo ride to the community club house for a formal dinner, desserts, dancing and an array of Christmas Shoppes are fresh delights. Led by Trumpeter, Mr. Zach Levin, playing Verdi's Triumphant March from the opera Aida the procession rekindles cherished memories. The first procession in 1999 was led by Mr. Ed Rigaud, CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center who carried a symbolic brass lantern reminiscent of the Freedom Center's logo.

In addition to bringing tremendous joy to attendees, The Bailey Institute's Tree Trimming Party connects The Institute to the Hagerstown community while fulfilling its mission to touch the lives of underserved people.