$1.6 MILLION LEGACY CONTINUES TO GROW IN SUPPORT OF THE ISLAND’S SICKEST CHILDREN

January 15, 2025, Victoria, BC – Festival of Trees Victoria, one of the region’s most well-known annual traditions, has raised $145,000 for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. This brings the total raised by the event since the Bay Centre began hosting it to more than $1.6 million.

“We’re thrilled to have reached this milestone in fundraising for Festival of Trees Victoria,” said Darlene Hollstein, general manager, Bay Centre. “This event is all about community spirit and we had incredible support from the local businesses that sponsored and fundraised as well as the community who voted for their favourite trees and donated to support Island families when they need it most.”

Festival of Trees Victoria transforms the Bay Centre into one of the largest Christmas tree displays on the Island. This year’s event was attended by more than 650,000 people and included over 90 trees, all decorated by local businesses like the top fundraisers this year who were Bishop’s Family Cycles, Victoria Residential Builders Association and Hutcheson & Co. The People’s Choice for the most popular tree was sponsored and decorated by Experience Victoria & Regent Transportation.

For the first time, the Bay Centre oversaw production of the Festival of Trees on behalf of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, ensuring the yearly fundraising event would continue in Victoria. In 2023, 3,379 kids from Vancouver Island visited BC Children’s Hospital– that’s more than 9 children every day of the year who receive life saving care from the hospital’s world-renowned medical team.

“Festival of Trees Victoria is a cherished event that shines a light on the profound impact of specialized medical care for children,” said Sarah Black, Philanthropy Manager at BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Funds raised will support groundbreaking research, treatment, and initiatives for seriously ill kids on Vancouver Island who rely on BC Children’s Hospital. We are incredibly grateful for the continued dedication from our community, inspiring hope and creating a brighter, healthier future for families.”