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.
Revenue is generated through general admission, the sale of decorated displays, gingerbread cookies, special events, raffles and most importantly - sponsorship.
Revenue is generated through general admission, the sale of decorated displays, gingerbread cookies, special events, raffles and most importantly - sponsorship.
Proceeds
Since becoming a non-profit in 2006, we've donated $1,701,163 to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
Funds raised at the 2021 Festival of Trees will support Operating Room needs through Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation's Equip for Excellence campaign. With more than 12,000 procedures annually and dozens every day, the O.R. is a very busy place. Your support helps staff in the O.R. meet ever increasing demand with the best, latest and safest equipment. This ensures patients have timely access to vital procedures.
Funds raised at the 2021 Festival of Trees will support Operating Room needs through Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation's Equip for Excellence campaign. With more than 12,000 procedures annually and dozens every day, the O.R. is a very busy place. Your support helps staff in the O.R. meet ever increasing demand with the best, latest and safest equipment. This ensures patients have timely access to vital procedures.
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 up to 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 36th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.
Today we're in our 36th year of operations and still going strong thanks to the support of sponsors, visitors and volunteers.