GUELPH – The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington’s Trees for Tots event raised a record-breaking $60,000 this year.
All funds raised at the seventh annual 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,” said Jennifer Tasca, foundation events manager.
“It was an overwhelming experience on [Jan. 5] 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,” said executive director Glenna Banda.
“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.”
All 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.
Lead partners include JL’s Tree Service and Jamie’s Lawn Care.
The chipping stations bins were donated by Hersey Bins and all equipment and operators were 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.
Other partners providing assistance include 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.
