NEWS RELEASE CHILDRENS FOUNDATION GUELPH-WELLINGTON
Trees for Tots, an essential local community service event and fundraiser run by the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, returns for is 10th year.
Presented once again by the Champion Mortgage Team, the event will collect discarded Christmas trees from Guelph, Puslinch and Rockwood, returning them to nature through local revitalization projects.
“We’re so proud to support the Trees for Tots initiative within the community.” says Doug Adlam of Champion Mortgage. “It’s been going on for a decade, and just to be part of a one day event that raises a tremendous amount of money for all the children within our community – and doing something that is really fun around the festive season – we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to continue to support this cause.”
Last year, Trees for Tots had a record-breaking year, collecting over 4,100 trees and raising over $93,000.
“It was an incredible year.” says Amanda Kavchak, Communications and Marketing Manager at the Children’s Foundation. “Since travel wasn’t really an option for the holidays last year, more people stayed home and celebrated together – which led to a record number of Christmas trees sold, and a record number of registrations. This year may look different with the tree shortages and the ability to travel – but no matter the outcome, the dollars make a difference!”
The Foundation has been offering this service since the City of Guelph stopped offering curbside pickup service for trees in the 2012/2013 holiday season, and as of the 2020/2021 holiday season there is now a $10 fee to drop your tree at the Dunlop St Waste Centre. Trees for Tots gives residents the ability to discard their tree easily, all while supporting the local community.
“This event has always been an exciting day for us,” says Joe Legate, owner of JL’s Tree Service who has been a Lead Partner of the event for many years. “So many people come together to not only collect trees and return them to nature, but also to support the children and youth of our community. We are so proud to be able to offer our services and expertise to help this day run so smoothly.”
All trees collected are returned to nature through different projects, including creek restoration and walking trails. Chips and whole trees from the event are donated to Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Portage Elora, Trout Unlimited, and The Arboretum – University of Guelph.
You can register your tree as part of Trees for Tots at www.treesfortots.ca until Jan. 3, 2022 for a minimum $10 donation. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more, less a $5 service fee.
Trees for Tots has been deemed an essential service during the pandemic, and all involved will be following all public health protocols.
