A few highlights from the 2013 Festival of Trees Victoria:
- 73 beautiful trees were decorated on Thursday night and over 450 people were in attendance for the Decorating Reception.
- $84,700 was raised through tree sponsorships and $4,000 was raised through the balloon draw.
- Teams raised a combined total of $11,086 through your bribing and Spirit of Giving donations!
- Thousands of dollars in gift cards and gift certificates were collected to support some of the local children from Vancouver Island who have visited the hospital this year.
- Huge baskets of toys were sent to CFAX Santa’s Anonymous and the CHEK Drive Thru Toy Collection in support of the Salvation Army, and several toy donations were passed along to the hospital.
- Red Robin Restaurant generously invited several of our local Children’s Hospital families to help decorate their tree and then to Red Robin for a special holiday dinner on the house!
- Santa had some very wonderful things to say about many of our sponsors, and was thrilled to announce that every participant at the event made his “nice” list for the incredible way that you opened your hearts and helped to kick off the holiday season.
- We launched the incredible Festival of Trees Christmas Carol Campaign. Every time you view the holiday video at www.cheknews.ca, Raymond James will donate 25 cents to BC Children’s Hospital up to $25,000. Thank you Raymond James, CHEK News and Bobs & LoLo for your incredible creativity and support to make this happen!
We are thrilled to announce the following winners:
- 1st Place Best Decorated Tree – Seastar Chemicals Inc.
- 2nd Place Best Decorated Tree – Island Blue
- 3rd Place Best Decorated Tree – Peninsula Co-op
- Spirit of Giving Award: Daystar Financial
Thank you again for your incredible support of BC Children’s Hospital!
A few special volunteers to thank…
We expend our gratitude to these people who helped to bring the Festival of Trees to life this year:
Our inspiring and talented chair, Tanya Smith, Community Relations Manager at CHEK News and mother of our Champion Child, Madeline Smith. Tanya led the planning team with grace and generosity and pushed the event to new limits. We are so thankful that she was able to loan her talents to us this year!
Our incredible planning committee:
- Tracey Drake, Niche Magazine;
- Dale Campbell, Atomic Crayon;
- Dana Hutchings, CHEK News;
- Eve Millington, SeaMill Productions;
- Janice Saxby;
- Mary Lou Newbold, Mayfair Optometric;
- Ron Cooley, Berkshire Investments.
Our judges for carefully viewing all of the beautifully decorated trees;
Santa Fred for making a special guest appearance;
Our fabulous MC Dana Hutchings who kept our guests happy, inspired and laughing;
The many volunteers who helped to set up all of the trees the night before the Decorating Reception;
Lisa Klimek and the many other staff at The Fairmont Empress who put in countless hours to ensure the event was a success;
The Coast Capital Youth Team who helped our judges collect all of those generous bribes.
Thank you to all for sharing your special talents with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Festival of Trees this holiday season!
Festival of Trees Christmas Carol Video Campaign
Here is your chance to have a little fun and help raise urgently needed funds for BC Children’s Hospital. Just visit the CHEK website where you can watch a video Christmas carol featuring Bobs & LoLo and some local Children’s Hospital families. Every time the video is viewed, Raymond James will generously donate 25 cents up to a total of $25,000 to help sick and injured kids get the care they need. There isn’t any cost or limit to the amount of times you can view or share this video. Just take a moment to enjoy the sounds of the season and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
Thank you to our Christmas Carol Partners: Raymond James, CHEK and Bobs & LoLo.
