Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Christmas Tree Festival is being hosted virtually this year. You can check out the best of the best trees posted to the foundations social media pages.
The brisk November air has blown in and the snow has begun to fall, the twinkle of the lights wrapped around the decorated Christmas tree all signify one of Lethbridge’s biggest healthcare fundraisers is starting back up again, although it will look a little different this year.
For the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, the holiday season is home to one of its biggest events they host. This year’s event looks different but the 26th annual Christmas Tree Gala and Auction is now underway. The tree festival brings together both businesses and organizations from around the community to decorate Christmas trees for the public to view before being auctioned off.
Shonna Lamb, development officer with the CRH Foundation says the money raised is used to support the greater needs of the hospital.
“On an average year we fund [between] 20 to 40 different projects, pieces of equipment or pour resources into various departments like pediatric senior’s health and mental health so that it’s spread widely throughout the hospital.”
With COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event has undergone a few changes. From Nov. 12 to Dec. 12 the foundation will be using its social media pages to post the best of the best trees from the past five years for everyone to view.
“We wanted to give shout outs, some gratitude and thanks to all of our sponsors and decorators that have been with us in the past years and to show them some appreciation and love,” says Lamb.
In previous years the foundation has hosted the festival at the Enmax Centre, stretching four-days for people to view the trees with an auction being held on the last evening for people to buy the trees with funds going back to the hospital. On average, each year would see 25 teams of decorators from all around the city participating, with the free event seeing roughly 5,000 people come through with more on the Family Day themed evening giving children the opportunity to visit Santa and skate with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
The CRH Foundation says all donations go towards the hospital and are used to ensure people can receive the best possible care in Lethbridge.
Kurt Schlachter, regional managing partner in Lethbridge with Stringam LLP says they have developed a strong partnership with the foundation over the last several years.
“We look for a number of things including impact for the organization and the community as well as the exposure that it brings to our firm. So, when it comes to the Christmas Tree Festival there is a good alignment there with our objectives.”
Stringam LLP has been the presenting sponsor of the Christmas Tree Festival for approximately the past 10 years. The sponsorship has created a friendship between both organizations. Stringam LLP plans to continue to sponsor the event in future years.
Schlachter encourages people to donate to the foundation as many non-profit organizations have been affected by COVID-19 and the continuing funding the hospital needs to provide support and care.
“Healthcare touches everyone in some way at some point in their life and it’s relatable to pretty much everyone in our community, therefore it resonates well with people. People often assume that by making a small donation [it is] not going to help or have much impact, but if a lot of people make small donations, it absolutely can have a positive impact.”
In addition to the modifications of this year’s Christmas Tree Festival, the CRH Foundation also had to cancel the Val Matteotti Italian Open golf tournament that runs each August. For more events that the foundation hosts throughout the year, check out their website. Upcoming events include the Lights of Hope campaign and the Care from the Heart radiothon in February.
“If you want to show support, donating is wonderful and very welcomed but also sharing and tuning into our social media channels [helps a lot]. Having it break up your newsfeed and supporting it that way would be much appreciated,” added Lamb.
To view the festival this year, check out Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Unfortunately, there won’t be a gala or auction this year, but if you’re interested in donating to the CRH Foundation visit their website at CRHfoundation.ca or you can call their office at (403) 388-6001.