Another Festival Success 

Submitted by Jane Siekawitch
Regina Wascana 
   

Just as the cool evening air was beginning to hint at the first winter snows, the warmth and splendour of the 2004 SaskEnergy Festival of Trees ushered in the holidays in Regina. 

Over Festival weekend, our patrons enjoyed the beauty of our designer collection of Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands, visited with Santa, were entertained by local choirs and performers, and started their holiday shopping in our Craft Shoppe, which features artisans and crafters from across Saskatchewan.

The Gala and Auction is a certain highlight for Festival weekend.  In fact, many of our returning patrons consider Gala the premier event of their holiday season.  We put many hours into planning the most minute of details around Gala. The ambience in the room is brilliant, the menu and dinner is one of the finest prepared for any occasion in the city, auction items tempt our guests with everything from diamonds to designer-decorated trees, to Mexican getaways.

The current beneficiary of Festival proceeds is a new 10-bed hospice facility that increases the number of palliative care beds in the health region by 30 per cent.  CPC Regina Wascana has pledged $150,000 towards construction costs – about one-third of total construction costs.  Named after our club in recognition of our contribution, the new Regina Wascana Grace Hospice is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and should begin serving patients and their families in late-Winter.  CPC Regina Wascana presented its first installment of $55,000 (the proceeds from the 2003 Festival) to Regina Palliactive Care Inc. in March of this year. Proceeds from the 2004 Festival will be presented later this winter.

CPC Regina Wascana introduced Festival of Trees to Regina in 1990.  It is our signature fundraiser and has helped us raise nearly $700,000 for charities and helping agencies in our community.