Annual Salad Festival Successful

The annual Salad Festival held Thursday, May 16, was successful, raising more than $1,600 for the Jefferson Community Health & Life Auxiliary.

A total of 210 people were served at the festival, said Lana Likens, director of public relations, marketing and development at Jefferson Community Health & Life. The Salad Festival is the biggest fundraiser of the JCH&L Auxiliary each year, and has a long tradition in Fairbury. The first festival was held in 1965.

“It takes a tremendous amount of community support to have a fund-raising event continue for more than 50 years. We thank all of those who help to make the Salad Festival successful,” Likens said.

The Salad Festival takes much volunteer time and effort. More than 35 individuals volunteer their time to help during the day, and more than 75 food items are donated. This year, seed money from a Thrivent Financial Action Team also helped to cover some of the expenses of the event.

The auxiliary provides scholarships to students entering medical fields and provides Christmas gifts for JCH&L Gardenside residents, in addition to providing volunteer support for JCH&L in a variety of ways.

This year the Fairbury FFA decorated the tables with geraniums from its greenhouse, and had geraniums for sale to benefit the FFA.

In addition, Jefferson Community Health & Life Radiology had a table with information on its new 3D mammography and the Women’s Health Day.