Cochrane’s newest holiday tradition at Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre will kick off on Dec. 5 from noon-2 p.m. with the Festival of Trees.
The Cochrane Lioness Club will be hosting the inaugural event where local businesses and organizations sponsor a Christmas tree and decorate it as extravagantly as they wish – to be put on display throughout the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sport Centre (SLSFSC) from Dec. 5-27.
“The Cochrane Lioness Club is always looking for ways to enhance the community and for ways to raise funds for various charitable organizations,” said organizer Crystal Bohn.
“We are cautiously optimistic. We are hoping for a good turnout (and) from the feedback we have heard from people, for the most part, has been positive and enthusiastic.”
There will also be a community tree that locals and guests are welcome to decorate, while sampling cookies and hot chocolate. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favourite tree.
The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser, raising money and collecting wish list items for the Ronald McDonald House.
“All of us (Lionesses) are moms and so of course, any charity that has to do with families or children is near and dear to our hearts. One of our members recently attended another fundraising event at the Ronald McDonald House and came back talking about the amazing work that they do with families and how they support, not only local families but families across the province.”
For a full list of Ronald McDonald House wish list items, visit cochranelioness.ca under “Events.” Organizers will be accepting donations between Dec. 5-20, when guests vote for their favourite tree at the Festival of Trees. The Lionesses will also be accepting donations for the Cochrane Activettes Share your Christmas.
Any business or organization interested in sponsoring a tree, contact Crystal Bohn at 403-932-3216 or by email at [email protected]
“One of the things that is really cool about this event is, Spray Lake Sports Centre has really stepped up to support us – it is just kind of a ‘one-stop-shop’ and it just proves what an amazing community Cochrane is, that we have all these organizations that pool together to create this fun experience for families,” Bohn said.
