Ponoka’s Festival of Trees is setting its sights on the future with a new coordinator and new direction.
The festival officially came under the umbrella of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation (PDHF) in the new year as the original committee stepped back from organizing the event to allow for fresh ideas.
Because of the level of work involved, from organizing volunteers, to setting up new programs and the marketing work, the PDHF hired Charlotte Winters as the event coordinator.
The goal is to really allow the festival to grow considering how much community support there has been for the fundraiser. Speaking for the foundation was Dorothy Ungstad who is grateful for the first steps that the original committee took.
With Winters taking over the helm, it’s relieved some of the time and energy that volunteers have had to do. “She’s willing to do different things. She’s very positive and very willing to work with people.”
For Ungstad it’s about being able to get more families and kids out to the festival and ensuring the fundraiser continues to be a success.
Winters is excited to bring new ideas to the festival while also building on the legacy of the previous committee. “This year we are trying to get as many community volunteers as possible…We are expanding our events for this year.”
Along with the three main events, the seniors tea, the opening night gala and auction and the breakfast with Santa, and additional plans for events will be bringing a new family day and some additional evening programming.
Winters said she’ll be reaching out to the community in the next few weeks.
One additional benefit of the change over of the festival to the health foundation is that now the group can write receipts for donations.
Winters wanted to clarify her appreciation to the founding committee. “We really appreciate the time put in by the founding committee. They put in a lot (of time),” said Winters.
With that being said, Winters is now setting her sights on growing the festival.
jeff.heyden-kaye@ponokanews.com
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