Ontario
Christmas Trees provide hope for sick children
November 2008
On Nov 24th, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa held its 11th annual Trees of Hope campaign. All proceeds of this event are directed to the Child Life Department at CHEO and will make a difference in the lives of the children and youth who visit the Hospital. Although final numbers have not yet been tallied for this year’s event, projections estimate that close to $45,000 will be raised.
Each year teams pay to enter the campaign, by purchasing a tree. A team of six arrives at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier by 4:30 pm and gets ninety minutes to decorate their tree. After decorating is complete, each tree is judged and prizes are awarded in such categories as team spirit and best theme tree. The real winners of the event are obviously the children, but the sense of camaraderie, grace and spirit fill the hall as the event goes into the evening. At 6pm the hall is opened up to the public for viewing. Many families have enjoyed this as a tradition to begin their holiday season of giving and come together each year for the official tree lighting ceremony.
Century 21 Action Power Team Ltd., of Ottawa Ontario, was proud to be a part of this event for the second year in a row and proud to be the only real estate brokerage entered in the contest. Their tree, decorated in gold for the Century 21 ‘Gold Standard’, was called “House of Dreams” and it was decorated complete with clouds, house keys, and Century 21 business cards of all their agents, words of inspiration, and a wooden “house” as a tree topper!
Though their tree did not win any awards, however they did contribute 800 dollars to the Tree of Hope campaign – and that served as reward enough. The REALTORS® from Century 21 Action Power Team Ltd. also received tons of great compliments for their trees beauty. The team of six was very proud to have taken part and have already taken action on plans for next years tree.
Pictured Above : The Century 21 Action Power Team Ltd. entry at the 11th annual Trees of Hope campaign.