HGTV’s 'Desert Flippers' Join In 17th Annual 'Christmas Tree Lane

From Act Forms: HGTV's Desert Flippers, Lindsey and Eric Bennett join ACT for MS on Dec. 1 for Christmas Tree Lane, originally conceived by Merv Griffin, and will again benefit local charity ACT for Multiple Sclerosis (ACT for MS) capturing the spirit of the season with an evening of celebrity-infused entertainment, refreshments, and a Christmas Tree Live Auction. The 17th Annual Christmas Tree Lane will be held this Friday, December 1, at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs beginning at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 and includes a tax-deductible donation benefiting local residents with Multiple Sclerosis.

The public can catch a glimpse of some of the celebrity themed trees for sale in advance. Eight trees are on display inside the Hard Rock Hotel-Palm Springs Lobby. Christmas Tree Lane continuously proves to be one of the most delightful and spirit-lifting winter events in the Palm Springs area. Each year, ACT for MS, a Coachella Valley non-profit providing assistance to local residents living with Multiple Sclerosis through various free programs, kicks-off the season by hosting a celebrity themed Christmas Tree Auction and evening of entertainment.

“ACT for MS is all about enabling our clients to live stronger longer, which in turn, improves their quality of life” said ACT for MS president Margot Nelligan. “These events help raise the funds necessary to provide our many free programs benefiting local residents diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.”
Merv Griffin gave the rights to the name in perpetuity to his friend – and the organization’s founder – Gloria Greer, after Griffin hosted the first few Christmas Tree Lanes at his Palm Springs Hotel. Greer founded ACT for MS after her daughter, Norma, was diagnosed with MS.

As guests enter the venue they are treated to a fun silent auction display of whimsically themed boutique trees, chaired by Sally Traidman and Lori Segal. Once inside the ballroom, folks stroll along a winter wonderland setting of dazzling decorated trees, each one creatively costumed in different themes, and each one more spectacular than the other.

'Bill Marx and his band provide the right amount of Jazzy Christmas music each year, and this year will also feature Emcees Jimi “Fitz” Fitzgerald and Joey English. They will be joined by Palm Springs Mayor Moon, plus the stars of HGTV's Desert Flippers, Lindsey and Eric Bennett – and, of course, Santa Claus.

Event co-chairs are Suz Hunt and Linda Williamson, and the evening will include designer decorated trees and a small tree boutique. Celebrities with trees at past events have included Broadway star Carol Channing, academy award nominee Carol Connors, actress Linda Gray, author Andrew Neiderman, actor/NFL legend Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, Suzanne Somers, Paris Hilton, Connie Stevens, Andy Williams, Ruta Lee, Mary Hart and Sidney Sheldon. Event sponsors include Hard Rock Hotel-Palm Springs, Palm Springs Life, and Zach’s Personal Fitness.

For more information, call (760) 773-9806 or go to www.actforms.org.

Image Courtesy of Act Forms