By Sheldon Spackman

Change Of Venue

Festival of Trees announces new location for 2020

Aug 31, 2020 | 12:05 PM

One of Red Deer’s largest annual fundraising events will have a new look in a new location this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 edition of the Festival of Trees will be held November 14 – 28 at Bower Place Shopping Centre (next to the Christmas Market at the former Sears location).

Travis Kuschminder, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, says a modified version of this year’s event is necessary due to public health restrictions.

“We have had to adjust our event in order to comply,” he explains. “A traditional Tree Room with beautifully decorated trees, a large silent auction, raffles, our popular Gift and Sweet Shop, and children’s activities will be available for guests to enjoy. Strict health and safety guidelines will be in place including limiting the number of people in the Tree Room at one time and we encourage guests to wear masks.”

Kuschminder adds that all health protocols will be monitored closely before and during the event to help ensure all recommended rules and guidelines are followed.

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“Festival of Trees is one our hospital’s largest fundraisers. Over 26 years, millions of dollars have been raised to enhance healthcare at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre to purchase new medical equipment or to enhance programs and services. Our hospital counts on fundraising events to help fund the critical equipment it needs,” he says.

“When you attend Festival of Trees, purchase raffle tickets, or have a successful bid on a silent auction item, you are directly supporting our hospital.”

This year’s proceeds raised will be used to support the purchase of electronic fetal monitors (EFM) for the labour and delivery unit at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

“Fetal heart rates are monitored during pregnancy, labour, and birth to assess the baby’s well-being,” explains Kuschminder. “Currently, in our hospital, fetal heart rate tracings are captured through bedside monitors that print paper records and can only be viewed while at the machine. The ability to quickly review, assess, and interpret records is important.”

Kuschminder says new electronic fetal monitors have a number of features not available with the current, paper-based systems, including:

• preset alarms that alert care teams to potential issues
• electronic access to view information from multiple locations
• support integration of all information to track, analyze, and act upon, thereby increasing safety and quality of care
• a reduced risk of user error through the elimination of the paper-based system

“Each year there are over 2,700 births at RDRHC and electronic fetal monitoring is performed multiple times during pregnancy,” says Kuschminder. “Festival’s contribution to the purchase of new monitors will ensure additional peace of mind to labouring mothers.”

Kuschminder says Festival of Trees 2020 will be held during regular mall hours and that Festival of Wines, Mistletoe Magic and Breakfast with Santa will not be happening this year.

With the goal to fund as many fetal monitors as the hospital needs, Kuschminder says there are many ways to help out or be involved with this year’s Festival of Trees.

“Festival of Trees could not happen if not for our passionate community. Through sponsorship or volunteering, your support means we can have a Festival of Trees. If you are interested in sponsoring or volunteering, we would love to hear from you. Contact us through our website, www.reddeerfestivaloftrees.ca.”

This year, general admission tickets will be required for Festival of Trees, with additional information to be provided at a later date. Parking at Bower Place will be free.

“Without our community’s support, an event like Festival of Trees simply would not happen,” suggests Kuschminder. “We are so grateful for donors, sponsors, volunteers, and guests who come out year after year to support critical funding for our hospital. Although this year’s Festival of Trees will be different, we hope this will bring a sense of normalcy to our community.”