GUELPH – On Jan. 11, the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s eighth annual Trees for Tots event raised over $68,000.
All money raised at Trees for Tots goes directly into the four core programs at the Children’s Foundation, all of which support local children and youth and provide them opportunities that they otherwise may not have.
The event also brought in over 300 volunteers who got up early on a rainy, cold Saturday and loaded into trucks to collect trees, help manage routes, count donations or stand outside helping at a chipping station.
“We are so thankful for the community support we receive for this event,” said Amanda Kavchak, Children’s Foundation events and administrative assistant.
“Watching a room full of volunteers come together before 8am on a Saturday, and then head out into the pouring rain without batting an eye was incredible.
“Not to mention the amazing partners who spend countless hours preparing for this event, moving equipment, planning for bin capacity, and this year especially, planning for possible inclement weather.”
On the day of the event, drivers picked up 3,514 trees, but there were a handful of missed trees as well.
The chipped trees will be used in revitalization projects at Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
Sponsors
The additional full trees that volunteers have been picking up over the last week have been donated to Trout Unlimited, an organization that helps in fish re-habitation projects.
“Trees for Tots 2020 would not have be possible without amazing community partners and volunteers, like lead partners, JL’s Tree Service and Jamie’s Lawncare, and the City of Guelph’s Information Technology Department for support with mapping of the pick-up routes,” organizers say.
“The Children’s Foundation is thankful for all of the amazing sponsors and supporters of the event, including: Green Order Landscaping, Tim Hortons, Alliance Roofing, M&T Printing Group, Direct Save, GM Blue Plan and Barry Cullen Chevrolet Cadillac. The chipping station bins are all 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.”
