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                 
erin@313pr.com
250-713-0489

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