Submitted:
The 2008 Red Deer Festival of Trees was once again a tremendous success. Initial figures suggest that the five-day event has raised $735,000 for the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.
From Nov. 18 through to Nov. 23, the David Thompson Health Region Foundation hosted a series of 10 events and various activities, all of which contributed to the success of this year’s Festival.
“Attendance at this year’s Festival was up 2,000 people with 24,000 attending the various activities,” said Lynette Grose, Co-Chair of the 2008 Festival of Trees. “The move to the Stockmens Pavilion meant we had a lot more space available for children’s activities and the tree and silent auction displays, and our special events sold out in record time.”
The proceeds from this year’s Festival of Trees will go toward the Maternal Child Program at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. The funds will provide new equipment for mother and baby care, education for parents and staff, and on-site family comfort items.
“We are continuously grateful to our local community for their support of the Festival, and to our large and dedicated group of volunteers without whom this event would not be what it is today,” said Grant Edmonds, Chair of the DTHR Foundation. “Everyone who contributed to the Festival has contributed to the health and well-being of our community ”
This year’s Festival of Trees was supported by the largest number of volunteers ever, with more than 1,950 people contributing time and energy to the event.