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2017 Christmas Tree Festival underway

Nov 20, 2017 | 11:53 AM

LETHBRIDGE – The 25th Annual Christmas Tree Festival is underway, and the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has unveiled a forest of trees, wreaths and garlands inside the Canadian Western Bank Lounge at the ENMAX Centre.

From 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday (Nov. 20) and Tuesday (Nov. 21) the festival will be open for public viewing.

Family Night is also scheduled for tonight, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. there will be a visit from Santa, activities for the kids as well as a free family skate.

The Gala and Auction will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Foundation Executive Director Jason VandenHoek says they’re very excited it’s already time for the Christmas Tree Festival again this year.

“We’ve got 25 beautifully decorated trees just like last year, and I’m amazed year after year with the creativity the decorators have when putting the trees together. We’re really happy with the way things have turned out last year.”

All of the money raised by the festival, and all of the money raised by the foundation throughout the year, stays in Lethbridge according to VandenHoek.

“It all benefits the Chinook Regional Hospital, and we’re very proud of that. Specifically this year the funds raised from the gala will go towards supporting the ongoing mental health related renovations at the hospital,” VandenHoek continued.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Alberta Health Services for this initiative, and it’s really just creating comfortable, safe spaces for patients who need it most.”

As far as fundraising goals are concerned, VandenHoek says they broke records last year and are hoping for another good result.

“It would be great to break records again this year, but at the end of the day this is 100 per cent profit for us. So anything we can raise that supports the project we’re involved in, that’s what we’re after,” VandenHoek said, adding they’re always amazed at the reaction from the community for the festival.

“I don’t know if it’s because we’re so close to Christmas and that brings out a generosity in people, but we know our community will step up and support this event because they have in the past and that’s why we keep doing it,” he said. “It’s our 25th anniversary, so we’re hoping to really make a splash this year.

During last year’s festival, more than 4,000 people were through the Western Bank Lounge at the ENMAX Centre and of the 25 trees sold , nine of them went back in the local community.

Overall, the hospital foundation managed to raise $150,000 last year.