Pictured top L-R: Greg Gryba & Garth Swanson of Swanson Gryba & Company, Darren Erbach, Owner & Manager Fisher’s Drug Store. Bottom L-R: Larry Wrench, Director SGI North Battleford Claims Centre, Trent Gatzke, GM Scott Campbell Dodge Ltd, and Duane Lafreniere, Dealer Principal/GM Bridges Chev Buick GMC Ltd, present their donations for the Festival of Trees. (Submitted photos/BUH Foundation)

By Martin Martinson

Tis the Season

BUH Foundation’s Festival of Trees to kick off holiday season

Nov 18, 2021 | 4:27 PM

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

That is the theme for this year’s 2021 Festival of Trees; one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Battlefords Union Hospital (BUH) Foundation, which will begin next week in the community.

This will be the 26^th year of the annual holiday fundraiser, which will run Wednesday, Nov. 24 to Dec. 8.

Fund development officer with the BUH Foundation, Shauna McGifford, said while this year’s event will still have some virtual elements like last year, there will also be a return to an in-community element.

“In 2020 we did have to dial it down a bit with all the COVID regulations, so we did a bit more of a virtual event, and this year while we’re still not doing one large in-person gathering, we are doing Festival of Trees within the community,” she said. “So we have lots of different events going on that people can come out and enjoy.”

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Pictured Top L-R: Terry Gagne, Manager/Consumer sales SaskTel, Kevin Driedger, Owner & manager Fortress Windows and Doors. Bottom L-R: Todd Heck, General Manager Valley Ford Sales, Dr. James Lawrence & Koreen Lawrence, Owners River Valley Eye Care, Richard Pratchler, Maintenance Manager North Battleford Energy Centre Northland Power, present their donations for the Festival of Trees. (Submitted photos/BUH Foundation)

After last year’s event featured decorative trees spread out at local businesses throughout the community, this year offers a return to a bit more of the classic approach. There will be just two central locations where the numerous decorated trees, wreaths and seasonal accent pieces will be put on display.

There will be a smaller setup at Territorial Place Mall, along with a larger one at the Frontier Centre. The items will then be available for bid via silent auction on the BUH Foundation website, throughout the duration of the festival.

McGifford estimates they have upwards of 40 trees, wreaths and center-pieces that will be available for viewing and bidding this year.

In addition to the displays, there will also be a return of Family Day “Rudolph Fun Packs,” again this year, featuring Christmas activities and treats for children ages four-12, available for families to register to receive at no cost.

Christmas high tea will be a boxed event this year, Friday, Dec. 3; while a virtual “Gala Getaway” will also be held Dec. 4 – a virtually interactive event that includes a holiday meal to prepare with cooking kit and tropical-themed vacation package, with the chance to also win a tropical holiday vacation.

To learn more about these and other Festival of Trees events, or bid on items, visit the BUH Foundation website or call (306) 445-6652.

Proceeds from the 2021 Festival of Trees will go towards Women’s Health & Birthing Care to purchase a Biliblanket, for newborns during treatment for Jaundice. More information is also available on the foundation website.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1