Festival of Trees Raises $598 Grand
Thursday, December 6, 2012 @ 8:47 AM
Prince George, B.C.- The Festival of Trees raised $598 thousand dollars this year.
This year’s event at the Prince George Civic Centre was the 19th for the SPirit of the North Healthcare Foundation and most of the money raised came from the gala event. That night alone raised $325,000.
“It has been an inspiring introduction to the Prince George community to witness both the commitment of donors and volunteers in raising funds for healthcare” said Spirit of the North CEO Jessica Aldred.
The Gala event saw Bea’s Tree, a small tree that no one can actually own, it must be returned to the Foundation for the next Festival of Trees. That tree went for $50 thousand dollars, a record high.
“From it’s humble beginnings Bea’s Tree has reflected the generosity of our community” says Noreen Rustad, Bea’s daughter, “This year was definitely a highlight for our family to see it reach over the $50,000 mark. It is especially rewarding this year because Bea Dezell is still alive and enjoying life at 104 years. For her to see this little tree still active and giving is a reflection of her own spirit of dedication to Prince George.”
Gala attendees also responded generously when the Foundation presented a request for donations to fund the purchase of a Mini C-Arm for orthopedic surgery at UHNBC, making $103,500 in donations within minutes of the request.
Over the years, the Spirit of the North Healthcare foundation has provided funds, in whole or in part, for such major pieces of equipment as a permanent MRI, Cat Scan, ophthalmology lasers, digital radiographic suites, ultrasound units, a burn tank, a gamma camera and crash carts. It has also funded major renovations to Jubilee Lodge and the Maternal Child Centre of Excellence at UHNBC.
Comments
That’s excellent to read about. It is such a great event. I attended a total of 3x and enjoyed it very much. It’s a great community event that brings people together for a good cause. Kudos to the organizers.
On a more sarcastic note, I was amused to read that Ms. Janet Holder was the top bidder for Bea’s Tree (thank you to the Gratton family for donating it). Was it Ms. Holder or was it Enbridge buying it though? Not sure if many of us will fall for Ms. Enbridge coming to town throwing money around and hoping we’ll change our minds about their “lovely” project. Keep throwing the money out there in the community Enbridge; just don’t expect support from some of the citizens.
Bah humbug.
Born and Bred, a little note of interest. i do believe Janet is like us, She was born in Prince George, and raised in Prince George…..
I don’t neccessarily support the pipeline 100%, but its Christmas time, she has the access to the money, and if she wants to put some of it into the community, so let it be. You know, I know, and so does every one else, but if Enbridge wants to put money into this community let them. The donations don’t gaurantee them nothing, and they know that just as well. maybe they have a heart.
Nope, no heart.. its a pumping station
He spoke, I think you would be surprised at the number of people that are easily swayed by money and advertising.
This fantastic even has been around for almost 20 years, long before people even heard of Enbridge. My family and I volunteer every year for this great cause. If one donation bothers you then why dont you focus on the other $548,000?
Kudos to all who make this event happen!
Hellooooo interceptor, I did focus on the other $548,000. Didn’t you read the first part of my comment.
born: “He spoke, I think you would be surprised at the number of people that are easily swayed by money and advertising.”
How about the children? Won’t somebody please think of the children?
May all of you “Grinches” have a very miserable Christmas……and next time you need healthcare in Prince George be sure to tell the Doctors or Nurses that you absolutely dont want them to use any bed, dressing, bandages, scalples, antiseptic,ar any medical device that had even one penny donated by Enbridge put toward paying for it.
You guys are unbelievable to put your stupid political positions ahead of any corporate gift that helps support the delivery of healthcare in Prince George.
Shame on you
I agree with gimmeabreak. Nobody forced Enbridge or Ms Holder to spend the money. They did it on their own accord for a very worth while project. I don’t imagine they expect it to buy many votes, sometimes people do things because they can and they want to.
There was a lot of people at the dinner that spent a lot of money to support healthcare in our city. I’m sure none of them are expecting to buy votes either. They did it because they wanted to support all of us in the north.
I would imagine most of you that throw negative comments out about this story would neither part with $100 a plate to eat dinner and support this charity or spend one red cent at the festival of trees without griping about not getting your moneys worth.
WE are no one, we should tell the M Mag. a good story.
amazing how a good news story and a corporate donation can so twisted … have we forgot what changed PG from a dynamic but smallish logging town in the 50s and 60s into the 2nd largest community in BC in the 70s (yes, at one time PG’s population exceeded Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Surrey …..) it was those “smell of money stinkin pulp mills” that fueled that change … corporate donations and some wild Christmas parties helped develop a lot of the infrastructure that is currently reaching the end of the natural lifespan … maybe it is a return to the old days of the Bentleys and the others when we see a PG person working for a major economic player bringing some money to the community at large. Sure it is corporate promotion … as is the CanFor sponsorship of many local facilities like the Aquatic Centre, the Ike Barber sponsorship of facilities at UNBC, CN’s sponsorship of the multiplex, etc, etc …
personally, the Community Foundation, the Festival of Trees and the corporate support on display is a sign that our community is still alive and believes in the future … this is not a pro pipe line rant, this is a living community rant …
Sorry to be a Grinch, but shouldn’t medical equipment be funded by taxes?
Are we still “bragging” that Canada has the lowest corporate taxes of the developed countries?
Pretty much every hospital in Canada and most other developed country’s continue to raise money through public and private outreach. Good for them…there is NEVER enough money. The main source of healthcare funding comes from governments, and Canada provides first class medical care for Canadians despite there never ever being enough money. And as far as low corporate taxes..it is becasue of these low taxes that corporations can grow expand, create jobs, AND become very generous corporate citizenz by donation money to worthy entities likess the Spirit of the North Health Society. We should neer complain when our City sees its corporate citizens contributing like they do. Merry Christmas
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