7th Annual Trees for Tots raises over $60,000 to help local children build opportunity
January 14, 2019
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s 7th annual Trees for Tots event raised a record-breaking $60,000 this Saturday, January 5. All funds raised through the event go directly to helping support local children and youth build brighter futures. The Foundation’s four core programs are designed to work together to provide opportunities to build hope for lifelong change and break the cycle of poverty.
“Trees for Tots is truly an amazing event that brings the community together for one common goal, to raise money for children to have positive and rewarding experiences,” says Jennifer Tasca, Children’s Foundation Events Manager. “It was an overwhelming experience on Saturday to see over 275 volunteers and 103 trucks ready with great big smiles on their faces ready to register volunteers, assist at the chipping stations, drive and navigate in the trucks to pick up the trees, chip trees, help with finance and the copious of other duties as assigned! We truly have the best volunteers!.”
“Life is an opportunity,” says Glenna Banda, Executive Director. “Positive and rewarding experiences during key developmental years in childhood and adolescence can shape a child's future and help break cycles of hardship. Together with our donors, volunteers and community partners we find opportunities in the hard times so that we can help each child grow, explore and unleash their great potential. Trees for Tots help us to achieve this goal!”
Trees for Tots is also great for the environment! All of the collected trees are used in local naturalization projects. This year the trees are being used at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, converted to mulch to line kilometres of hiking trails or used whole in fish re-habitation projects.
Collection routes were generated by the City of Guelph IT Department and chipping stations throughout the City are made possible by industry partners and equipment donors. The Children’s Foundation is incredibly grateful for our Lead Partners, JL’s Tree Service and Jamie’s Lawncare. 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 Sunbelt Rentals Canada. Corporate partners include Alliance Roofing and Barry Cullen Chevrolet Cadillac and other partners include the the Wellington Catholic District School Board, Impact Mobile Signs Guelph, Bob’s Towing & Recovery and Ignatius Jesuit Centre. Volunteers were kept warm and fed with beverages and chilli courtesy of Tim Hortons.
Save the date for next year’s Trees for Tots on January 11, 2020.
About The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington runs four core programs to provide vital opportunities for children and youth to participate, learn and grow to reach their full potential: Adopt-A-Family, Food & Friends, Free to Grow and the Scholarships Program.
www.childrensfoundation.org
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @ChildrensFdnGW
519-826-9551
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Tasca
Events Manager
The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington
Phone: 519-826-9551 ext. 27