THE CHECKUP
www.northernlightshealthfoundation.ca/donate
WINTER 2017
2017 FESTIVAL OF TREES
One for the record books!
$665,000 raised for local health care
From Friday November 17 th to Sunday November 19 th , 150 sponsors, over 200
volunteers and 8,000 guests came together to enjoy the 28 th annual Northern Lights
Health Foundation Festival of Trees presented by Syncrude. The three-day Festival
included the Ladies Holiday Luncheon, Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Festival of Trees
Gala, Christmas Family Fun with Santa, and weekend-long Santa’s Workshop, Gift
Shops and local entertainment. A new event was added this year – the Daddy Daughter
Sugar Plum Fairy Ball. All ticketed events sold out, with three selling out in July!
“Totally outstanding!” says Melanie Antoine, Chair of the Health Foundation’s Board of
Directors. “That’s how I would sum up the whole Festival of Trees event right from the early
planning by the organizing committee to the very last minute of the Sugar Plum Fairy Ball which
closed off this year’s events. The level of commitment from our sponsors, volunteers, and auction and ticket purchasers
was exceptional and really speaks to the commitment of our community for supporting health care initiatives in our
region. The Gala Tree Auction raised $454,500 which is a record for 33 trees”.
“We are so pleased to see the level of support from our community. Thousands of children and parents had fun creating
gifts at Santa’s Workshop, repaired bears at the Teddy Bear Hospital, shopped in the Christmas Gift Shop and visited
with Santa. The adults went crazy with the Ugly Christmas Sweaters, bought lots of raffle tickets and were very generous
bidders at the live and silent auctions” says Cindy Amerongen, Executive Director of the Health Foundation. “On behalf
of the Health Foundation staff, volunteers, and committee members, I offer my sincere thanks to the community for your
tremendous support. Together, you showed your deep respect for the medical
services and public health initiatives that are the backbone of our
community’s health and well-being.”
Over the past 28 years, the Festival of Trees has raised almost
$8 million (net) for local health care, with over 30,000 volunteer
hours invested by thousands of community members.
To see all of the event photos, click here