The Orinda Woman's Club 24th annual Festival Of Trees included lunch for 500 and a fashion show. Photo Doug Kohen

Almost 500 women attended the Orinda Woman's Club (OWC) 24th annual Festival of Trees event held at the San Ramon Marriot on November 18th.

"We don't miss this event, it's so beautifully done," said Pat Stull of Lafayette. Stull has attended the charity event since it was started and invited three tables full of friends and associates to join her this year. "I have a real affection for the Orinda Woman's Club. I admire their work and am inspired by what they do."

Arlene Hegarty of Orinda has attended the OWC lunch for the past ten years and finds it a great event at which to reconnect with friends. Her longtime friend, Ronnie Devenish, comes down from Tahoe annually to join her.

After an hour of meeting, greeting, and perusing the trees, wreaths, gift baskets, and getaway packages that comprise the event raffle, guests enjoyed a lunch of chicken and tabouleh salad followed by a fashion show featuring the ladies clothing designs of Helen Lyall of Napa and men's fashions by Bartlett Baron of Walnut Creek. Strutting to the songs of Lady GaGa and Beyonce, Lyall's professional models were joined by six members of the Village Associates Real Estate team, a major benefactor of the event.

The charity event typically raises about $30,000. The 2010 major beneficiaries are the Monument Crisis Center, which provides food and public services to families and individuals in need throughout Contra Costa County, and Court Appointed Special Advocates, which advocates for abused and neglected youth. The Orinda Woman's Club will also award a number of individual educational scholarships to improve the lives of women and families.