Pacelli, a Meydenbauer Bay resident for the past 15 years, joined the Seattle Children’s Autism Guild in 2011 after her youngest son, Trevor, graduated from high school. She was looking for a new way to volunteer when she discovered the guild at an autism fair and was welcomed as a parent of someone on the spectrum. A few years later, the Autism Guild merged with the Seattle Festival of Trees Guild, and Pacelli stayed. Today, she serves as vice president and marketing director, after previously serving as treasurer.

The reason the mission remains so personal is easy to understand. Trevor, now 33, was diagnosed with autism at age six. Although Trevor did not receive services from Seattle Children’s Autism Center, Pacelli and her husband, Lonnie, wanted to support other children and young adults who needed diagnosis, intervention, and care. Over the years, their connection to the Autism Center has grown. Trevor has written blog posts for the Center and presented at a staff meeting, while Pacelli and Lonnie have hosted Autism Center staff members at their Festival of Trees gala table.

The Seattle Festival of Trees Guild is the only Seattle Children’s guild that raises funds specifically for the Autism Center. The guild also supports Seattle Children’s Uncompensated Care Fund, helping ensure children can receive care regardless of their family’s ability to pay. For Pacelli, some of the most meaningful moments come during the annual gala, when a Seattle Children’s patient family speaks about how the guild’s fundraising has helped them. “It feels so rewarding to hear thanks directly from the people we work all year to help,” she says.

That sense of purpose has been part of the guild’s history for decades. The organization began in the late 1970s, when members decorated real Christmas trees in their garages. The Festival of Trees tradition at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel began in 1989, and the guild continues to attract volunteers who bring their creativity, skills, and passion to the holiday tradition.

Every year, the magic begins long before the trees arrive at the Fairmont Olympic. Volunteers spend months creating elaborately themed trees, which are professionally photographed and offered for purchase beginning in September. This year’s trees will be on display at the Fairmont Olympic from November 16th through December 1st, with each tree dedicated to a Seattle Children’s patient and accompanied by that family’s story. The 2026 gala is already sold out, but there is still an opportunity for the community to be part of the tradition.

Themed trees are available for purchase by individuals and businesses. Each tree is professionally delivered and set up, then picked up after the holidays. For businesses, the trees and accompanying patient storyboards can make a meaningful addition to a lobby, office, or retail space. Proceeds from tree sales benefit Seattle Children’s Uncompensated Care and Autism Center. Pacelli sees the tree purchase as a unique way to turn a holiday tradition into a meaningful gift. “If you want to make a year-end donation to help autism or children in the community, why not have a spectacular holiday tree to show for it?” she says.

There are other ways to help, too, including making a financial donation of any amount or getting involved with the guild as a member or volunteer. For Pacelli, the Festival of Trees is ultimately about much more than beautifully decorated Christmas trees. It is about families, community, and making sure children have access to the care and support they need. And having raised a child with autism herself, Pacelli hopes that support extends beyond medical services.

One of the most important things children growing up with autism need, she says, is for other children and their parents to not only accept them, but to include and befriend them in activities outside of school. This holiday season, the trees may be the beautiful part people see. But behind each one is a story, a family, and a community giving back.