Purpose
Our purpose is to engage the community in an event that celebrates the holiday season through special events, attractions and decorated displays while raising funds to support our beneficiary, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
Proceeds
Funds raised at the 2020 Festival of Trees will support Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation's Making the O.R. a PriORity campaign. Your support will ensure the Operating Room has the best, latest and safest equipment.
Since becoming a non-profit in 2006, we've donated $1,700,559 to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. In 2019, $100,000 was directed towards the purchase of an automated medication dispensing system. All proceeds benefit our local community.
Since becoming a non-profit in 2006, we've donated $1,700,559 to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. In 2019, $100,000 was directed towards the purchase of an automated medication dispensing system. All proceeds benefit our local community.
Team
We're a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors. A core committee plans year-round while the event itself is powered by over 250 volunteers.
Guy Paterson, Chair
Ronna Hjertaas, CEO
Mary-Lou Eastman, Vice Chair
Kayla Kobiela, Secretary
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
Guy Paterson, Chair
Ronna Hjertaas, CEO
Mary-Lou Eastman, Vice Chair
Kayla Kobiela, Secretary
Raylene Kershaw, Operations Manager
History
The Festival of Trees started in 1986 as a one-day event at the TCUP organized by the Canadian Progress Club – Saskatoon Meewasin. Proceeds were shared amongst the Progress Club, Saskatoon Crisis Nursery and Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
- 1987: the Festival became a two-day event hosted at the Delta Bessborough hotel
- 1988 to 1990: the Festival continued to grow and gain popularity
- 1990: Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation organized the Gala Evening & the Progress Club turned over the Festival to the Foundation to run
- 1991: the Festival was named the Saskatoon City Hospital Festival of Trees
Non-Profit
The Festival of Trees developed into a 9-day event. With a strong volunteer committee in place, the decision was made to establish the Festival as its own non-profit. On April 1, 2006 the Festival became the Saskatoon City Hospital Festival of Trees Inc. (later changing its name to the Saskatoon Festival of Trees Inc. on March 11, 2014).
Today we're in our 35th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.
Today we're in our 35th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.