This year’s TriState Health Foundation Festival of Trees was truly historic—raising more than $1 million to support local healthcare.
One standout highlight of the evening was “Christmas in the Canyon,” the tree selected as Best in Show. What made it especially memorable was its foundation: a handcrafted miniature aluminum jet boat fabricated by Walla Walla Community College Clarkston Campus welding students. Their craftsmanship brought the display to life and showcased the power of community collaboration.
TriState Health (Tri-State Memorial Hospital & Medical Campus) is a non-profit, community-owned healthcare system in Clarkston, Washington, serving the Lewis-Clark Valley and surrounding areas in WA, ID, and OR. For more than 70 years, TriState has provided comprehensive, patient-focused care—including primary and emergency care, specialized treatments, surgical services, and supporting facilities such as clinics, labs, a pharmacy, and an assisted living community. Events like the Festival of Trees help ensure these vital services continue to grow and thrive.
“Our students take a tremendous amount of pride in applying their skills to real projects that serve the community,” said Chad Miltenberger, Dean of WWCC’s Clarkston Campus. “Partnering with Tri State Health and other community members on something as meaningful as the Festival of Trees allows our students to see firsthand how their work can help make a difference. We’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute and be a part of such an important effort.”
