The annual Festival of Trees Fundraiser generally includes community gathering together. This year, the event has been moved largely online. (submitted photo/Tony Vandenberg)

By Martin Martinson

Seasonal Fundraiser

Festival of Trees to move online this Christmas

Nov 6, 2020 | 8:00 AM

Few seasonal celebrations have become synonymous with Christmas time in Meadow Lake, like the annual Festival of Trees Fundraiser.

Hosted by the Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation, the Festival of Trees serves as an opportunity for residents of the community and surrounding area to bring in the holiday season while raising money for a good cause.

However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the event will be held with a twist this year, as an online auction.

Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation Chair Tony Vandenberg said while the decision was not made lightly to shift the event to a virtual format, ultimately going online was deemed as the safest alternative due to the current circumstances.

“We’re going to miss out on [gathering together in community] definitely, as it’s a great activity to get together and get a little competitive bidding going on, but that’s just not in the cards this year,” Vandenberg said.

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Proceeds from the event will go toward new equipment for the Meadow Lake Hospital.

Bidding will be open Nov. 6 to 27, with items starting to be closed off as early as Nov. 23.

There will also be a live viewing of all the auction items, Nov. 21 and 22 at the Sargent Hall. There will be fundraisers at the viewing the public can join in on.

Vandenberg said members of the Hospital Foundation are grateful to the community for its continued support. He said it is that support that has allowed them to still host the event this season, even if it does have a bit of a new look.

“The community’s backing this 100 per cent,” he said. “Everything from the donation items, to the actual financial support and sponsors for the event, it’s all been really great to see.”

The link for the online auction is available here. For more information on the Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation’s 2020 Festival of Trees celebration, residents are asked to visit their website, or find them on social media.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1