Beautifully decorated Christmas trees for the 2020 Festival of Trees in Red Deer. (Red Deer Regional Health Foundation)

By Sheldon Spackman

In Support Of Community

2020 Festival of Trees in Red Deer deemed ‘virtual success’

Jan 5, 2021 | 10:14 AM

Despite significant challenges, the 2020 Red Deer Festival of Trees has been deemed a virtual success.

Thanks to the generosity of community members, donors, sponsors, and the help of volunteers, the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation (RDRHF) says it will be able to fund part of the electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) project for Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and other healthcare centres in rural central Alberta.

Though last minute changes resulted in Festival of Trees being closed to the public, people were still able to view and bid on the hundreds of silent auction items and trees.

“Our first ever Christmas Jingle Cash Lottery was also a success, not only by assisting the funding efforts but also giving away $17,500 in cash prizes to five winners including the top prize of $10,000 to Darlene Glackin of Red Deer County,” says Travis Kuschminder, RDRHF Marketing and Communications Manager. “Planning is well underway for the 2021 Red Deer Hospital Lottery which will launch in a few months.”

Kuschminder says over $1.1 million in prizing will be offered this year including a Sorento Custom Homes grand prize dream home located in Red Deer’s Laredo neighbourhood.

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“Proceeds from this year’s lottery will also benefit electronic fetal monitoring,” he explains. “Upgrading to an electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) system is an enormous project that will take place across a number of hospitals and healthcare sites in central Alberta. EFM will introduce new features like preset alarms, electronic access to records, and reduced risk of user error through the elimination of a paper-based system.”

Kuschminder notes that although the foundation office remains closed to the public, they continue their efforts to fulfill a number of funding commitments to enhance healthcare in central Alberta.

“We are grateful for the continued support of our donors, volunteers and our community sponsors.”