Iconic event celebrates ten years of holiday tradition

SUGAR LAND — As temperatures begin to get cooler, and our winter wear begins to see the light of day again, it’s time to take a sleigh ride on over to HMNS at Sugar Land for the ever-popular Jingle Tree festivities – where decking the halls has been a custom for the last ten years!

It’s always the most wonderful time of the year during this week-long event, where guests will stroll through the museum’s halls and admire several beautifully-adorned trees and holiday décor that have been sponsored and decorated by local designers, museum supporters, and artistic visionaries. The splendid trees are quite the spectacle for guests to treasure, and are up for bid during an online silent auction.

This year, the event takes place November 10-16 and the Honorary Co-Chairs are once again long-time museum supporters and Fort Bend residents, Stacy Borgfeldt and Pam Gray, with Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital generously contributing as presenting sponsor.

“We’re excited to share in the festivities again and make this holiday season truly memorable for everyone,” said Chris Siebenaler, Executive Vice President, and Chief Executive Officer at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to the well-being and education of our community. Anytime we can support science education, we know we are investing in our future. Our friends at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land help bring the spirit of curiosity and knowledge to Fort Bend County and beyond.”

“Here at HMNS at Sugar Land, we strive to be a neighborhood museum, and a provider of science education for the Fort Bend community,” said Kavita Self, Senior Director, HMNS at Sugar Land and the George Observatory. “As it always has, Jingle Tree’s proceeds continue to allow us to support sensory-friendly programming and science education for this amazing community of ours, and to expand museum access to underserved areas. Through the charitable help of events like Jingle Tree, our wonderful sponsor Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and the fabulous work from our Honorary Chairs Stacy Borgfeldt and Pam Gray and planning committee, we continue to make the natural sciences more accessible and interactive for all. We’re looking forward to ten more years of Jingle Tree here at HMNS at Sugar Land!”

This year’s schedule of events includes:

• Tree Lighting

Friday, November 10 | 10:00 a.m.

Watch the trees come to light and begin bidding or buy your favorite now!

• VIP Experience Days

Monday, November 13 – Tuesday, November 14 | 11:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Small-group tree viewing with light bites and beverages – a perfect time to spend with friends.

• Festive Finale

Thursday, November 16 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

A festive party filled with cheer! Don’t miss the live auction with exclusive museum experiences, and final bidding on the designer trees and décor.

Catering by Events by Safari

For sponsorship opportunities, to purchase tickets, and for more information visit,

sugarland.hmns.org/jingle-tree or email jingletree@hmns.org.

Pictured in Attached Committee Photo (From L to R):

• Back row: Kelley Sweet Jensen, Michelle Cano, Sherri Scott-Cook, Sierra Ridley, Lijin Zeng, Linda Webb, Sharon Dimicelli, Lindsay Rolph.
• Seated: Judi Dai, Pam Gray, Stacy Borgfeldt, Kavita Self, Dominique McCormick
• Not pictured: Elizabeth Butler, Lisa Gonzalez

Photo Credit: Kelley Sweet Photography

Pictured in Attached Sponsor Photo (Standing L to R):

• Esther Schinzler, Marketing & Communications Manager, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Eliud Faz, Chief Operating Officer, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Kavita Self, Senior Director, HMNS at Sugar Land and the George Observatory
• Chris Siebenaler, Executive Vice President & CEO, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Pam Gray, Jingle Tree Co-Chair
• Sally Shen, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Dr. S. Nicholas Desai, Chief Quality & Medical Officer, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Janet Leatherwood, Chief Nursing Officer, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
• Stacy Borgfeldt, Jingle Tree Co-Chair
• Not pictured: Kaelyn Bujnoch, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

Photo Credit: Kelley Sweet Photography

The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land—On Oct. 3, 2009, a historic prison building in the residential community area of Telfair opened to the public, transformed – as the new Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. This satellite facility of HMNS includes five permanent galleries reflecting the most popular exhibit areas of the downtown Museum location. In addition to permanent exhibitions, the 43,000 square foot building and the surrounding 5.5 acres of land that house the museum present a variety of compelling traveling exhibitions. Located at 13019 University Blvd. (at the corner of University and New Territory Blvds.), a visit to HMNS at Sugar Land is always an adventure.

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