The Health Foundation’s Festival of Trees, presented by Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Raises $640,000 (net)!
Fort McMurray, Alberta – This past weekend, over 200 sponsors, 300 volunteers and 8,500 guests came together to kick-off the holiday season at the 29th annual Festival of Trees. The three-day Festival included the Ladies Holiday Luncheon, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Festival of Trees Gala, Christmas Family Fun with Santa, Daddy Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy Ball and weekend-long Santa’s Workshop, gift shops, tree viewing and local entertainment. Every event featured new elements to delight guests!
Melanie Antoine, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of Directors, says, “Every year this event is spectacular and filled with seasonal elements for every age to enjoy. As a sponsor, donor, and Board member the weekend fills me with pride in the generosity of the people of the region and I am delighted to share the results of the fundraising with everyone.”
“We are so grateful to our many sponsors, donors, ticket purchasers, guests and volunteers who supported our Festival of Trees this past weekend. All of these efforts combined to raise $640,000 after all expenses. And we had a special tree that broke all previous tree auction records!” says Cindy Amerongen, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. “The Hockey Bros tree featuring the hockey equipment fundraising efforts of local boys Parker and Cruz Flett was a smash hit. When the dust settled on the competitive bidding – two winners emerged to share the tree rights for a combined bid of $100,000!
Over the past 29 years, the Festival of Trees has raised over $8.5 million (net after all expenses) for local health care, with over 30,000 volunteer hours invested by thousands of community members.
Weekend long silent auction and raffle winners were contacted at the end of Festival of Trees at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Those who have yet to pick up their items may do so today at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre until 9:00 pm or at the Health Foundation’s office located in the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre starting Wednesday, Nov. 21 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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. The Health Foundation is proudly accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standards Program. For more information, visit www.northernlightshealthfoundation.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Lipton
Events Manager
Northern Lights Health Foundation
Tel: 780-791-6207 Cell: 780-370-5754 Email: jessica.lipton@ahs.ca