The Moose Jaw Health Foundation (MJHF) is seeking additional business and other sponsors for its major Festival of Trees gala fundraiser on Oct. 21, which will raise money for new equipment at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital.
The MJHF raises hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly for hospital equipment and relies heavily on local community support to make Moose Jaw's hospital one of the best-equipped in the province.
"The business community has generously supported Festival of Trees for many years, especially small businesses," said Kelly McElree, executive director of the MJHF. "Every year, the foundation fundraises for different pieces of equipment, and this year we're raising funds for a [Breast Cancer MRI Coil] to enhance the MRI services at our hospital, and for a lymphatic navigator [for breast cancer surgery] as well.
"A breast cancer coil for our MRI will make us the only hospital outside of Regina or Saskatoon to have that. So, it'll be game-changing for our hospital and its wonderful, hard-working staff."
Because of the cause, 2023's Festival of Trees has been moved up to October (it normally takes place in November) to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Other changes this year include a lower ticket price of $125 per person (down from $175), and $1,000 for a table of eight. The evening's live auction has been tweaked to move faster, the menu has been modified to emphasize locally sourced ingredients, and the online digital auction has been improved for user-friendliness.
A father-daughter team of two will be the emcees for this year. Dr. Caitlyn Howe is a staff member at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, and her father Camron Howe is on the board of the MJHF.
The schedule of the 2023 Festival of Trees on Saturday, Oct. 21 is:
- 5 p.m. Cocktails
- 6 p.m. Dinner, a prime rib buffet with a seafood tower
- 8 p.m. Grand Auction, with dancing to follow
Music this year is provided by longtime local icons The Uncoolas.
Tickets to the Festival of Trees are available from Sasktix.ca. Fifty per cent of each ticket sold will receive a charitable tax receipt from the MJHF.
Sponsorship opportunities include direct sponsorship from $500, all the way up to a Tree Display sponsorship from $3,000. Businesses can also donate items for the live and silent auctions.
The sponsorship information package is available to download from www.mjhf.org. Sponsorship information is also available from Sherryn Boszak at [email protected] and at 306-694-0373.
"We really appreciate all the support from businesses and the community at all levels," McElree added. "Not only sponsorships, but all the volunteers, including the many business employees that come to help out each year.
"Festival of Trees is a community effort, and it's strong because of the generosity of our community. Over its 32-year lifetime, the Festival of Trees has raised about $5 million to enhance healthcare at our hospital. We're very, very thankful."
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