Festival of Trees sparkles for children

Festival of Trees Okanagan is one of several participants inspiring local businesses, and families to decorate a tree for a good cause.

Every year, the Festival of Trees raises money for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. This year they’re raising funds specifically for diabetes research at BC Children’s Hospital.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery have been the main hosts in Kelowna for the last five years, but this year, the Delta Grand Okanagan is joining and co-hosting the event. The venue provides an additional 15 trees for people to admire.

“It’s been really successful,” Shannon Bruckshaw, Director of Sales & Marketing at the hotel told Kelowna10. “We’re still encouraging the community to come out and vote because we want to raise as much money as possible. But it’s been successful so far with our first year.”

Trees at the Delta Hotel include those honouring children who have passed on, or are Disney & Dr. Seuss-themed.

The going price for having a tree in the festival starts at $2,000 and goes up to $5,000.

Both Mission Hill and Delta have a joint fundraising goal of $100,000.

Bruckshaw is encouraging everyone to get out to either location and support the bright effort.

“There are approximately 19 children in the Okanagan that pass through the front doors of BC Children’s Hospital on a daily basis,” she said. “They help parents and family’s provincewide so it’s important we come together and raise money for the kids.”

The trees will be up at both locations until Jan 3.

People can vote for their favourite tree through a $5 donation.

More information on the event can be found online.