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Ponoka Festival of Trees sees $125,500 raised

The Ponoka and District Health Foundation is pleased with the large donation
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(L-R) Ponoka hospital long-term care manager Linda Nievadomy along with Ponoka Health Foundation chair Dorothy Ungstad accept this year’s donation of over $125,000 from the Ponoka Festival of Trees committee represented by Theresa Turner, Brenda Hunt, Sherry Gummow, Lori Jones-Holt and Judy Dick. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Overjoyed would be an apt description of the feeling from everyone involved in the Ponoka Festival of Trees fundraiser this year.

The event took in its highest amount ever, raising $125,500 that will help update the bathing facilities for long-term care residents at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.

Representatives from the foundation and the hospital were on hand to accept the cheque from the festival committee during a luncheon at the Ponoka Royal Canadian Legion on Dec. 1.

In addition to splitting up the bath and shower facilities for the unit, other improvements will include ceiling radiant heat and specialized bathing equipment.

For Festival of Trees committee member Sherry Gummow, the great success of this year’s event was spectacular.

“We have an awesome community with great support from businesses, individuals and all of the attendees,” she said.

The fundraiser exceeded expectations this year bringing in $23,500 more than in 2016, with Gummow crediting that to a couple of factors.

“Each year we have some really special and unique auction items, and this year the suitcases we had were sold two or three times for about $4,000 each time. That’s just incredible,” she stated.