GUELPH – Trees for Tots, an annual local community service event and fundraiser run by the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington is back for its ninth year, and will be presented by the Champion Mortgage Team.
The Christmas tree collection service will take place on Jan. 9 and collection areas will expand to include Guelph, Puslinch Township and Rockwood.
“We are so excited to be able to continue to offer this service in a safe and contactless way,” said Emma Rogers, CEO of the foundation.
“This event is helpful for so many residents of Guelph and surrounding areas, and is a great way to support the community.”
The foundation has been offering this service since the City of Guelph stopped offering curbside pickup service for trees in the 2012-13 holiday season.
This year, the City of Guelph will be charging $10 at the Dunlop St. Waste Centre for residents who choose to discard their tree there.
“So the amazing volunteers with the Children’s Foundation will not only pick up your tree right from your curb, but all proceeds from donations go right back to helping children in our community,” officials say.
“It’s really a win for everyone involved,” said Brenda Walsh, outreach manager for the Children’s Foundation.
“After these trees have served their purpose for families this holiday season they will help raise funds to support local children.
“We will chip most of the trees and donate them to local environmental organizations to use in naturalization projects.
“We also provide whole trees to local groups to be used in creek restoration.”
The foundation will be putting several COVID precautions in place, including a bubbled volunteer driver system, screening all volunteers as they arrive to start their shift on Jan. 9, and providing sanitation kits for all volunteers.
Community members can register their tree as part of Trees for Tots at www.treesfortots.ca until Jan. 6 for a minimum $10 donation.
Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more, less a $5 service fee.
