NEWS RELEASE
CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION OF GUELPH
*************************
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s annual Trees for Tots event has become a community favourite and a true show of the strength of people working together.
Now in its 7th year, the annual Christmas tree pick-up is a donation-for-service event: Guelph residents register for a minimum $10 donation and on the first Saturday in January, 200 volunteers brave the brisk winter air to collect over 3,000 discarded Christmas trees.
“It’s really win-win-win! Funds raised help the Children’s Foundation programs, trees get chipped and mulched and put back into the environment, and people get their trees picked-up!" said Administrative & Outreach Coordinator, Brenda Walsh who has coordinated the volunteers that past few years.
“This year, the Foundation is hoping to register 4,000 residents to donate to the event, funds that will help empower children in low-income families. It is imperative that we start 2019 in a good position,” explains Glenna Banda, Executive Director. “Last year we saw an increase in applications for financial assistance of 20 per cent in our Free to Grow Program. There are increasing challenges for our Food and Friends program as the cost of fresh, healthy food continues to rise. And the average cost of university tuition continues to increase, meaning youth need our Scholarships more than ever.”
An event of this magnitude is only possible with the expertise, equipment and assistance of fantastic community partners. The Children’s Foundation receives mapping support from the City of Guelph Information Technology Department. More than 200 volunteers assist with planning, tagging trees, promotion and on event day, drive around the City and gather discarded Christmas trees and chip them to be returned to nature.
The Children’s Foundation is incredibly grateful for our Lead Partners, JL’s Tree Service and Jamie’s Lawncare. Refreshments are provided by Tim Horton’s this year and other corporate partners include Alliance Roofing and Barry Cullen Chevrolet Cadillac.
The chipping stations bins are donated by Hersey Bins and all equipment and operators are donated by Battlefield Equipment, Baum Professional Tree Care, Cooper Equipment Rentals, Full Circle Tree Care, Grand River Group, Premier Equipment Ltd., Sloot Construction Ltd. and Universal Rental Services. Other partners include the City of Guelph, the Wellington Catholic District School Board, Impact Mobile Signs Guelph, Dozr, Bob’s Towing & Recovery and Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
The support of these event partners allow all of the funds raised to go directly to the Children's Foundation’s programs, working to empower local children and youth living in poverty with the opportunities they need to build hope for lifelong change.
Trees for Tots is also great for the environment! All of the collected trees are used in local naturalization projects. This year the trees will be used at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, converted to mulch to line kilometres of hiking trails or used whole in fish re-habitation projects.
This year’s pick-up date is Saturday, Jan. 5 and registration is open to all Guelph residents for a minimum $10 donation. Registration is open until Sunday, Dec. 30 by visiting treesfortots.ca or by calling 519-826-9551 ext. 25. Volunteers interested in helping can also visit treesfortots.ca to sign-up for the event. Any businesses wishing to sponsor the event are asked to please contact Jennifer by emailing [email protected] or calling 519-826-9551 ext. 27.
************************
