MOOSE JAW — The 33rd annual Festival of Trees gala, hosted by the Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF), transformed the Moose Jaw Events Centre into a Roaring ‘20’s-themed attraction for around 300 guests who helped raise funds for Moose Jaw’s hospital recently.
At its conclusion, $184,000 was raised for new medical equipment at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
“Festival of Trees was absolutely amazing this year,” announced Kelly McElree, director of the MJHF. “We’re ecstatic because we know that the festival saves lives.”
This year’s festival was the creation of Kim Waldo and her volunteer team at the MJHF. “We’ll be bringing (the new bronchoscopy) service to the hospital because of the tremendous support at Festival of Trees,” McElree said.
To date, the festival has raised approximately $5.5 million for the health foundation’s Vision of Tomorrow campaign ensuring that the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital is one of the best-equipped in the Prairies.
To prepare for this year’s gala, the curling rink at the Moose Jaw Events Centre was transformed into “Moose Jaw’s biggest speakeasy event” titled “Sugar & Spice & Notoriously Nice.”
Preparations for the festival — which included a themed entrance tunnel, stylish ‘20s-era décor, and even a McLaughlin-Buick automobile — began on Oct. 16 and concluded four days later on Oct. 19. Credit for the glamorous setting is owed to Kim Waldo, her team of volunteers, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw staff, and several businesses who volunteered their time.
“I have to say, the Moose Jaw Events Centre’s team was absolutely outstanding, and the meal they cooked was phenomenal — I’m still getting rave reviews,” McElree added. “JGL (Livestock) sponsored the beef tenderloin… (and) we’re very thankful for that.”
McElree also wished to thank emcees Dr. Nishaan Cheddie and Dr. Chun Huang, vocalist Stella Salido Porter, and auctioneer Scott Johnstone who ran the auction alongside — for her first live auction experience — Kelly Carty, the business development officer for the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.
He also wished to thank entertainers from Dance Images and the Regina-based band Mascara, who “closed the evening out with a very great live performance.”
Volunteers included several doctors and nurses and McElree said their role was much appreciated.
“(These medical professionals) recognized the impact that donations have on improving health care in the community,” he said. “They came out and showed tremendous support — not only volunteering their time, but they were also actively bidding all the way through the evening.”
Two of the items auctioned at this year’s festival included a quilt donated by the Prairie Hearts Quilter’s Guild and an 18-foot (5.48 metre) Christmas tree that will soon reside in the hospital’s lobby area.
The quilt, “A Splash of Colour,” was donated by the guild in memory of Wendy Findlay.
“It was a very touching moment,” McElree said. “(Findlay) was much loved and she passed away from lunch cancer. We’re raising funds for a bronchoscope, which is used to help people with lung cancer and COPD, so there was double meaning there.”
Dr. Thorpe won the quilt and then donated it back to the auction where Findlay’s daughter Tammy repurchased it. Together, they raised $7,150 for the campaign.
Another auctioned item was the “Light Up the Holidays Hospital Lobby Tree” that was sponsored by JGL Livestock for an impressive $25,000.
“(The) festival is a total community effort, and volunteers are the heart and soul of Moose Jaw,” McElree said. “I just want to thank everyone in the community that comes out to the Festival of Trees and the brunch…
“You know,” he continued, “for a community as big as Moose Jaw, (it) might not be the biggest city, but people in Moose Jaw have the biggest hearts.
“We at the foundation and the medical staff — and most of all the patients who benefit from people’s generosity — (wish to say) a big thank you.”
For more information about the MJHF or to donate to the Vision of Tomorrow campaign, visit MJHF.org or call 306-694-0373.
