WELLINGTON COUNTY – Hospice Wellington kicked off its 2024 Tree of Remembrance fundraiser at the Stone Road mall in Guelph on Dec. 2.
This long-standing holiday campaign brings awareness and raises funds for the many programs offered by Hospice Wellington through the sale of Christmas ornaments.
Those who purchase an ornament are then invited to write the name of a loved one on a remembrance tag and place the tag on one of the remembrance trees.
“The holidays can be tough, especially for those who have lost somebody over the holidays, or that have lost anyone over the years,” said event planner Phil Gourlay.
The ornaments are sold for $12 each, and range from mini curling stones, cardinals, angels, candy canes, and other Christmas and winter related items.
“For a long time, there were angels and cardinals, as representations of their loved ones,” said ornament sponsor Andra Arnold.”
“But everybody wanted something different to remember their loved ones, so we try to have a variety of stuff,” added Gourlay.
Photo by Ellouise Thompson
Arnold is a broker and team lead for Andra Arnold and Associates, a Guelph real estate team, and has been sponsoring the ornaments for the tree of remembrance campaign for over seven years.
“I give him (Gourlay) the money to buy and then they are paid for and all the money that gets raised from selling the ornaments goes straight to the organization (Hospice Wellington),” said Arnold.
All funds raised go towards the many services offered by Hospice Wellington, such as art therapy, counselling and supports, workshops, and the Hospice kitchen.
Ornaments will be on sale at the Stone Road mall in Guelph until the end of December from 11am until the mall closes.
The Hospice Wellington booth is located just across from the H&M.
Volunteers will also be selling ornaments in Fergus, Elora and Arthur at local markets.
Those looking to make a donation to Hospice Wellington can visit hospicewellington.org/donate.
Cash and cheque donations can be dropped off at the Hospice Wellington booth in the mall, directly at 795 Scottsdale Dr., or email pgourlay@hospicewellington.org to arrange for a donation pick-up.
