A festive fundraiser has made its annual return to Okotoks.
The Avenue of Trees, a fundraising campaign by the Sheep River Health Trust, will feature Christmas trees on display in the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites lobby until Dec. 17.
The fundraiser is now in its 12th year, explained Christine Oakes, fund development and communications coordinator with Sheep River Health Trust.
"This year we did something different," she said. "We've completely revamped the event in the sense that we are no longer auctioning off trees... we have nine trees that have been fully sponsored by various companies and municipalities all over the Foothills, and every single one of the trees is going to a family in need, or an individual in need of a Christmas tree."
It's an opportunity for the community to enjoy the spirit of Christmas, with the added perk of the Best Western Plus Okotoks Inn & Suites lobby being open 24/7 for anybody to see the trees.
"If you're like me, I like to go look at Christmas lights before Christmas, driving around," said Oakes. "If you love a Christmas tree, now you get to look at a whole room full of them."
Sheep River Health Trust is a registered charity that supports the development and implementation of physical, mental and spiritual health services in the Foothills.
Community members can also vote for their favourite tree on the Sheep River Health Trust Facebook page. A "fan favourite" tree will be declared toward the end of the event. The organization that sponsored it will receive a $250 gift certificate courtesy of Sobeys, which will go to a charity of their choice, alongside a trophy and bragging rights.
"It's a very simple concept, but I think it means so much to so many, and that's what we're about," said Oakes. "When we try to think of fundraisers, of course you always want to be as creative as possible and raise as much funds as you can, but this is an event where we get to raise some joy.
"Coming to visit the hotel and looking at the Christmas trees is a very simple thing. It doesn't cost you anything and can enhance your Christmas spirit, and then knowing that a family that is struggling in one way or another... they get to enjoy a Christmas tree.
"Something that we all take for granted, that everyone can have or can afford to have, and that's not necessarily the case from year to year, especially in difficult economic times like this."
At the end of the campaign, every Christmas tree will be delivered to a family in need.
"They are anonymous, the people that we give the trees to, but at the end of the day, they know that the community cares about each other," said Oakes.
To nominate a family in need of a Christmas tree, email a nomination form to [email protected] by Dec. 13.
Learn more on the Sheep River Health Trust website.
