The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s 5th annual Trees for Tots campaign raised a record-breaking $52,444 on Jan. 7.
The increase in funds raised will help thousands of children living in low-income situations the foundation is currently unable to support.
All funds go directly into funding the foundation’s four programs for local children: Food and Friends, which provides access to healthy food; Free to Play, which provides the opportunity to take part in Sports and arts activities; the Scholarship Program, which allows youth to continue their education; and Adopt-A-Family, which helps children in need experience a more joyful Christmas.
The success of Trees for Tots is a reflection of the community-mindedness of the city, officials state.
Guelph residents register with the Children’s Foundation to have their Christmas trees picked-up for a minimum $10 donation and volunteers help register, collect and chip the trees.
“We are the administrators of the event,” said Children’s Foundation events manager Kasia Rusiniak during the orientation of 170 volunteers. “You’re making it happen.”
As awareness of the event grows, its popularity continues to increase.
This year 2,966 trees were collected, thanks to the efforts of community volunteers and businesses.
Several returning volunteers have made Trees for Tots an annual tradition of their own to close out the Christmas season, including company volunteers from Wellington Brewery, Winmar and Contract Express.
The new Wellington Basketball Club also brought out a strong crew of spirited Trees for Tots rookies. Hot soup was provided for all volunteers, courtesy of Zoup!
Collection routes were created by the City of Guelph IT department and six chipping operations throughout the city were made possible by industry partners and equipment donors: Battlefield Equipment, Cooper Equipment Rentals, Davey Tree Service, Dozr, Hersey Bins, Jamie’s Lawncare, JL’s Tree Service, Premier Equipment, Sloot Construction Ltd., Sound Gardens and Universal Rental Services.
All trees chipped are returned to nature through projects at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre just north of the city.
Any donor whose tree may have been missed is asked to contact the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington Trees for Tots hotline at 519-826-9551 ext. 25 or by email at trees4tots@childrensfoundation.org.
