Beloved Festival of Trees Fundraiser Returns With Great JOY! And Breaks A Live Tree Auction Record!
For Immediate Release • November 23, 2022
Fort McMurray, Alberta – This past weekend, over 175 sponsors, 300 volunteers and 8,500 guests came together to kick-off the holiday season at the 33rd annual Festival of Trees and raise an astounding $755,000 for regional healthcare initiatives!
The three-day Festival included 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, Winter Wonderland tree viewing and local entertainment. Every space and every event were delightful!
The Health Foundation was thrilled to have the community back in-person for the weekend of seasonal celebrations as Festival had been held virtually the past two years.
“We are so grateful to our many sponsors, donors, ticket purchasers, silent and live auction donors and purchasers, guests and volunteers who supported Festival of Trees this past weekend. The return to a live event really brought out a terrific response from sponsors and the trees were amazing. Many were filled with trips and gifts and gifts cards to local businesses. Most businesses in the region were involved in some capacity with gifts of service, gift cards on trees and in gift baskets and raffles. Festival brings out everyone’s desire to celebrate, share the joy of the season, and support healthcare,” said Cindy Amerongen, Executive Director of the Health Foundation.
“All of the trees and packages were outstanding, and the auction bidding was heated,” continued Amerongen. “The SMS and Fort McMurray First Nation Group of Companies tree featuring professional sports games in Fort Lauderdale went to two high bidders – raising $64,000. The highlight of the night was the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Association tree which broke all previous high tree records. The tree was purchased by Dave Tuccaro, Tuccaro Group, Andrew Rosser, Suncor, and Chief Mel Grandjamb, Fort McKay First Nation. Each of the bidders contributed $40,000 to raise a whopping $120,000 on the NAABA tree which was the highest amount ever contributed for a single tree. The Health Foundation is absolutely honored to have extraordinary guests and partners attend the Gala and support our healthcare mission.”
In the Santa’s Workshop hundreds of families visited the Teddy Bear Workshop, cooking decorating, children’s gift shop and other craft stations. This was the busiest year ever for the Workshop area and we were very pleased to see so many happy children enjoying the activities. Winter Wonderland also saw a record number of visitors to hear and see the fabulous entertainers, dancers, and storytellers, and to view the trees, purchase raffle tickets, and shop the silent auction. Buddy the Elf made a special appearance and Santa and
Mrs. Claus kicked off their Christmas visits to the region.
“A sense of joy and wonder was evident in everyone’s faces,” said Nelson Barbosa, Past Chair of the Health Foundation. “Many people are new to Festival and had no idea what to expect. Returning and new guests alike shared how inspired they felt being together and focusing on a cause that affects all of us in the region.”
Over the past 33 years, the Festival of Trees has raised almost $11 million (net after all expenses) for regional healthcare initiatives, with over 35,000 volunteer hours invested by thousands of community members. Generations of families have volunteered to make this event special for others as it is truly a meaningful way to give back to the community.
On behalf of the Health Foundation Board and staff – thank you to everyone who participated at the 2022 Festival of Trees. Together we are making an impact by funding healthcare in our region and sharing the joy of the season.
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 northernlightshealthfoundation.ca
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Amerongen
Northern Lights Health Foundation
Tel: 780-791-6178
Cell: 780-715-5881
Email: cindy.amerongen@ahs.ca
Beloved Festival of Trees Fundraiser Returns
For Immediate Release • August 24, 2022
Fort McMurray, Alberta – The Northern Lights Health Foundation is pleased to announce the return of Festival of Trees, presented by Syncrude (Operated by Suncor), from November 18th to 20th. After being held as a primarily virtual event for the past two years, the Health Foundation is excited to invite the community back in person for a weekend of memorable seasonal celebrations.
Greg Fuhr, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of Directors, says, “Festival of Trees is a magical time for everyone and truly ushers in the holiday season. With events for children, families, and adults there is something for everyone, all in a fabulously decorated venue. And, with all the funds raised going to local healthcare initiatives, this event is a powerful way for our entire community to be engaged in helping to make healthcare better for all.”
Popular highlights of the three-day Festival include:
- Ugly Christmas Sweater Party presented by CEDA
- Festival of Trees Gala presented by Syncrude
- Festival Tree Program and Auction presented by Suncor
- Christmas Family Fun with Santa presented by Pembina
- Daddy Daughter Sugar Plum Fairy Ball presented by APE Maintenance
- Santa’s Workshop presented by Enbridge all weekend long
- Christmas Gift Shop presented by Heritage Park Society
- Festival Stocking Stuffer 50/50 Raffle presented by CNOOC
- Winter Wonderland presented by Canadian Natural, with tree viewing, silent auction, and local entertainment.
Each event features new and exciting changes to delight patrons.
“Festival is a great big present chock full of entertainment, trees, goodies, and fun,” says Cindy Amerongen, Health Foundation Executive Director. “Lively east coast band Signal Hill is back to rock the Sweater Party and Gala, and award-winning auctioneer Danny Hooper will raise the roof while raising funds at the tree auction. Local entertainers will perform in the Winter Wonderland venue. And, in Santa’s Workshop there is a full slate of kids’ activities. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Buddy the Elf will be there for photos, Save On Foods is bringing back the popular cookie decorating station, there are craft and colouring stations for kids, and the chance to play doctor at the Teddy Bear Hospital.”
Over the past 32 years, the Festival of Trees has raised more than $10 million (net after all expenses) for local health care, with over 35,000 volunteer hours invested by thousands of community members. Many volunteers have been leading their Festival areas for over 10 years.
“This is truly the event of the year and a fabulous kick-off to the Christmas season,” says Festival of Trees Chair and Health Foundation Board Member Kevin Shulko. “There are still sponsorship opportunities available at a variety of levels. The more sponsors, volunteers, and guests who join in welcoming back Festival of Trees as a live and in-person event, the bigger, better, and more beautiful it will be.”
Opportunities are available for monetary sponsors, tree sponsors to create and submit decorated trees for auction, gifts of silent and live auction items and gifts of services to help put on the events.
The 2022 Festival of Trees Sponsorship Guide and Tree Contributor Guide is available at GivetoNLHF.ca.
Event tickets go on sale on Wednesday September 7, 2022.
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 northernlightshealthfoundation.ca
For more information, please contact:
Cindy Amerongen
Northern Lights Health Foundation
Tel: 780-791-6178
Cell: 780-715-5881
Email: cindy.amerongen@ahs.ca
