VIU Festival of Trees Fundraiser (Nanaimo)
Festival of Trees – A
Nanaimo Tradition in Support of VIU Students
Festival
includes holiday activities and events for everyone
Nanaimo, BC – November 20, 2012 – Today at the Vancouver Island Conference
Centre, the Vancouver Island University Foundation announced a $150,000
fundraising goal for the 18th Annual Festival of Trees. The festival, which
showcases specially decorated holiday trees, raises money to support VIU
students directly through greatly needed bursaries and scholarships, as well as
help fund state-of-the-art improvements to classrooms.
This
year’s festival runs from November 22 – 30 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre,
with a variety of events to enjoy the magic and splendor of the holidays while
supporting VIU students. Everyone in the community is invited to come see the
beautiful trees decorated by members of the community through a new festival
initiative, the TD Bank Community Tree Decorating Challenge.
“The Festival raises
critically needed funds to ensure students who may not have had the opportunity
to study are able to, as well as support our best and brightest through
financial awards and through improvements to learning spaces in the
University,” said Jason Nelson, Chair, Festival of Trees. “When we invest in learning
we really invest in the strength of our community. We are grateful for the
donors, sponsors and volunteers who are helping make this year’s Festival a
huge success.”
18th Annual Festival of Trees Events
All Festival of
Trees events will be at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
Cocktail Reception presented by RBC Royal Bank – Thursday, November 22 from 4-6 pm get a first
look at this year’s trees. Mix and mingle with other professionals. Tickets are
$50.
Island Savings Family Days – On Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November
25 from 10 am – 4 pm. Bring your family to the festival for crafts, entertainment,
photos with Santa and much more. It is a day of fun for the whole family. Admission is free
and open to everyone, but a donation to the Festival of Trees is welcome.
Coastal Community Credit Union Black Tie Gala – On Friday, November 30 the Festival of Trees
hosts the finale event, a black tie fundraiser gala. This is the social event
that kicks off the holiday season. Get dressed in your holiday best for a night
of dinner, entertainment and dancing. Tickets are $195 with guests receiving a
$100 charitable receipt.
The trees will
also be open to the public on from Friday November 23 to Friday November 30
from 10 am – 3 pm. Votes for the TD Bank Community Tree Decorating challenge
will be accepted at the cocktail reception, family days and the open house day.
The winner will be announced at the Gala on November 30.
For more
information or to purchase tickets please contact Sarah Lane at sarah@selconferenceservices.com or 250-591-7999 or visit www.viu.ca/festival
About the Festival of Trees
The Festival of
Trees is Vancouver Island University’s premier fundraising event running from
November 22nd to November 30th. Proceeds from the FOT
provide much-needed financial support for the students of VIU and are used to
create state-of-the art learning facilities on campus. Last year the FOT raised
$85,000 in support of students and had over 3,000 people participate in the
various events.
For more information:
Erin O’Reilly
313 Public
Relations & Marketing for FOT
250-713-0489
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