The 29th annual Festival of Trees, a fundraising event for the Spirit of The North Healthcare Foundation, will go from Nov. 30-Dec. 4 at the Prince George Convention and Civic Centre with new ways to give thrown into the mix.
Festival of Trees guests are asked to bring in lightly-used purses with an assortment of toiletries in them that will be donated to the Association Advocating for Women and Community (AWAC) and the Elizabeth Fry Society.
The goal of this initiative is to help equip shelters to better serve women who are fleeing dangerous situations with just the clothes on their backs. This new project along with the collection of toys during the Santa Breakfast to be shared with children in the pediatrics ward of UHNBC, continue to expand the impact felt throughout the community as a result of the Festival of Trees fundraising event.
The Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation was created in 1991 to raise funds to deliver stronger healthcare throughout the region by enhancing services. As UHNBC is the primary referral centre for Northern BC, it is imperative that it be a focal point for quality healthcare for people in the region. Rather than being referred down south, this as a much better option to patients. Through funds raised over the years, the Foundation has helped purchase major pieces of medical equipment and also funded major renovations at Jubilee Lodge and the hospital.
Right now there is a gap in cardiac care for Northern B.C.
Northern Health is the only health authority in the province that does not have its own interventional cardiology service. This means that northern residents are having to travel significant distances, and incur significant costs, to access higher levels of cardiac care. That means the 2022 Festival of Trees funding efforts will go towards equipping a cardiac care unit at UHNBC that will have a direct impact throughout the North.
“This funding will specifically include vital pieces of cardiac equipment such as ECG machines, defibrillators, vascular dopplers, and cardiac ultrasound units to name just a few,” Aimee Cassie, CEO, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, said. “This is a large undertaking that, once completed, will eventually see northern residents receiving the cardiac care they require here in Prince George, eliminating the travel and ensuring our friends, families, and communities have the very best in care.”
There are still a few tickets left for Festival of Trees events such as the MEDIchair Senior Brunch, Scotiabank Senior Tea, Canadian Tire Fashion Show, Yellowhead Rotary Business Lunch, while the Northland Dodge Santa Breakfast is now sold out. Another new addition this year is the Kopar Administration Family Day, which will see Festival’s finale on Sunday, Dec. 4, followed by the Canadian Tire fireworks display as the event comes to a close.
For more information regarding Festival of Trees visit www.festivaloftreespg.ca or call the Foundation office at 250-565-2515.
