For Immediate Release
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014
The Northern Lights Health Foundation’s 25th Festival of Trees, presented by Syncrude Canada Ltd., raises $460,000 net for local health care
Fort McMurray, Alberta – Over 13,000 members of the community flocked to MacDonald Island Park this past weekend for the 25th annual Festival of Trees, presented by Syncrude Canada Ltd. in support of the Northern Lights Health Foundation. Various events and activities took place over the three day Festival, including the Ladies Holiday Luncheon, Family Skating Party, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Silver Anniversary Gala, Christmas Family Fun with Santa and weekend-long Santa’s Workshop.
All ticketed events sold out weeks before Festival weekend. “We’re thrilled to have had all events sell out weeks in advance, especially considering we increased the guest count for both the Ladies Holiday Luncheon and Ugly Christmas Sweater Party this year,” said Jessica Musycsyn, Events Manager of the Health Foundation. “We also added the new event, Christmas Family Fun with Santa, presented by Suncor to the schedule of events this year. Ensuring new additions and attractions to the Festival our community has come to know and love, has ensured the Festival’s continued success.”
“On behalf of the Health Foundation, I’d like to thank everyone who attended the 25th Festival of Trees, volunteered, the planning committee, our community partners and finally, our sponsors for making it all possible,” said Susanne Chaffey, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. “The funds raised at Festival will fund new medical equipment, programs and services throughout the Wood Buffalo region.”
Over the past 25 years, the Festival of Trees has raised over six million net for local health care and over 30,000 volunteer hours have been invested by thousands of community members.
Weekend long silent auction and raffle winners were contacted at the end of Festival of Trees at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Those who have yet to pick up their items may do so at the Health Foundation office located in the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Festival of Trees coloring contest winner, Mackenzie Ram from Ecole Dickinsfield School, will be featured as the magazine cover child on the March/April 2015 issue of Fort McMurray’s Child Magazine.
About the Northern Lights Health Foundation
Established in 1985, the Northern Lights Health Foundation exists to provide funds to support health care priorities within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. For more information, visit www.northernlightshealthfoundation.ca
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For further media inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Musycsyn
Events Manager, Northern Lights Health Foundation
T: (780) 791-6207
C: (780) 370-5754
E: Jessica.Musycsyn@albertahealthservices.ca