The Sheep River Health Trust has decked the halls at the Okotoks Recreation Centre in what has become a Christmas tradition for the organization.
The health trust will cap off its annual Avenue of Trees fundraiser with a charity auction and Mistletoe Market at the recreation centre on Dec. 10.
Tanya Thorn, health trust fund development officer, said the event has become a favourite with the organization and people who come out to the rec centre, some just to look at the beautifully decked out trees.
“The good thing we like about it is displaying trees at a public venue,” she said. “They get lots of viewing and people love to come up here and just wander around the trees.”
The lobby and halls at the rec centre are lined with 39 Christmas trees, along with one at Oilfields Hospital and one at Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre. It’s four more trees than they had in 2015.
The trees are donated by local businesses and residents who purchase and decorate each one with different themes.
“We don’t dictate what their theme has to be in any way, shape or form so everybody comes up with their own look and feel for their tree,” said Thorn. “This year we have some really creative designs.”
All will be auctioned off in silent or live auctions. There are 30 trees available at a silent auction on site. The remaining 11 trees will go on the block during a live auction on Dec. 10.
Proceeds from the Avenue of Trees go towards the health trust’s initiatives supporting facilities at Oilfields Hospital, Rising Sun Long-term Care and Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre, as well as health and wellness programing in the Foothills. Last year’s Avenue of Trees raised $32,000.
The winners get the tree, the decorations and anything else included with the tree.
People can also purchase a tree and donate it back to the health trust to give to needy families.
“Last year we had 15 trees that were bought by businesses in our community and they donated them back to the Sheep River Health Trust and we worked with some of our partner agencies and had them delivered to families in need,” said Thorn.
Successful bidders can pick their tree up on Dec. 10 or they can arrange to pick them up later on Dec. 13.
The health trust also does a fan favourite vote on its Facebook page. The donor of the winning tree will receive a $250 Sobeys gift certificate to donate to the charity of their choice.
The health trust is also hosting a Mistletoe Market on Dec. 10 in the Shane Homes Gym at the recreation centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The family event includes vendors, entertainment, a children’s craft area, and a children’s secret shopping area where they can shop for presents for up to $2 a piece.
“We help them pick out gifts and wrap them so they have gifts for Christmas for their family or special people,” said Thorn.
Santa photos
The health trust is also hosting Photos with Santa Claus at the Okotoks Recreation Centre until Dec. 10 in conjunction with the Avenue of Trees.
People can pre-book their photos to avoid having to stand in line. Photos are $50, which includes a donation to the Health Trust and they will receive a USB with all the photos.
