A newly-launched Christmas tree collection program has chipped in almost $21,000 to Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington coffers.
The Jan. 12 Trees for Tots event saw over 100 volunteers with 40 trucks and tree chipping equipment branch out across the city collecting 1,500 Christmas trees and donations amounting to $20,584, including a $5,000 donation from Scotiabank. It’s the first time the foundation has hosted such an event since the city decided not to collect discarded Christmas trees from the holiday season this year.
The trees were picked up curbside by volunteers from people who had registered to participate in the program assisted by Terry’s Tree Removal, Battlefield and Fred E. Prior & Sons which chipped up the recycled trees at three assembly areas. There was a minimum donation of $5 for each tree pick-up.
Glenna Banda, foundation executive director, said the program surpassed expectations.
“We were really excited,” she said. “It was a great example of people from the community coming together.”
The idea originated from Downtown Guelph Business Association director Marty Williams and quickly grew into a show of community support. Terry’s Tree Removal made the idea a reality by partnering to offer trucks and wood chipping equipment. When the registration opened, with a Jan. 9 deadline, it was evident residents were interested in the new service.
From that point the excitement grew and at the close of registration, 1,500 people had signed on for the service. The foundation was thrilled with the response and quickly realized more volunteers were needed. A call for volunteers was sent out to the community and within a day 80 volunteers had signed up providing the 40 trucks needed.
“We had great partners,” Banda added. “We even had a Waste Management truck come down from Mount Forest.”
Several local businesses stepped up including Battlefield which offered an additional wood chipper and Prior & Sons which provided large trucks and employee help.
The money is earmarked for the foundation’s grants program that helps children from low-income families pay for Sports and attend summer camps.
