November 17, 2005 - 4:00pm
The transformation is underway.
A team of volunteers is turning Malaspina University-College’s upper cafeteria and welcome centre into a winter wonderland for the 11th annual Festival of Trees Christmas celebration, which takes place November 25 to December 10 at the Nanaimo campus.
"The Festival will include an amazing display of more than 40 decorated Christmas trees, hundreds of lights and decorations," said George Hrabowych, chair of the Festival of Trees Steering Committee.
The two week Festival of Trees is the largest community event in the Malaspina Foundation's annual fundraising program. Proceeds this year will support student scholarships, awards and bursaries.
The Festival opens with a Gala Dinner/Dance, Casino and Auction on Nov. 25. Although the Gala is sold out, tickets are available for two other major events - a Festival Soiree on Thursday, Dec. 1 and a Festival Lunch on Friday, Dec. 9. (call 740-6258) The Soiree, a brand-new event this year, is an after-work networking party, explained Festival volunteer Cathy Dyck of Tourism Nanaimo, who is organizing the Soiree with Carol Smith of RBC Dominion Securities.
"The Soiree will be a great event for businesses, large and small," said Dyck. "We encourage business owners to bring their staff, clients and spouses. There will be a live and silent auction, fantastic food provided by Malaspina’s Culinary Arts students and door prizes. Anyone who brings an ornament to decorate an international Christmas tree will have their name entered in a draw to win a prize."
Festival organizers have also planned two Family Days during the Festival, on Saturday, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 from 12 to 5 pm. There will be children’s activities including face painting, cookie decorating, Santa photos, and entertainment by high school and community bands. Admission is by donation.
Community members are also invited to visit the Festival of Trees on three Public Days, Sunday, Nov. 27, Sunday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 10, between 12 and 5 pm. Admission is also by donation. Public Days also includes an exciting line-up of entertainment including performances by Shanneyganock on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 at 1 pm, a Celtic band voted Newfoundland's 2004 Entertainers of the Year. Nanaimo singer Joelle Rabu will also perform on Dec. 4 at 2:30 pm, while Victoria magician Shayne King will stage an amazing magic show on Dec. 10 at 2 pm.
Hrabowych said an enormous team of dedicated business leaders, community volunteers, Malaspina staff and students has worked tirelessly for several months to organize this year’s Festival.
Support from the business community "has been incredible," he added, with more than $50,000 in cash and $30,000 in gifts-in-kind donated for prizes that will be auctioned off during the Festival Gala and Soiree.
Susie Caswell, Events Manager at the Malaspina Foundation, said students are playing a major role in the festivities. Student chefs in the Culinary Arts program, under the guidance of professional chef instructors, are preparing a buffet dinner for 250 guests at the Gala, appetizers for the Soiree and a Christmas buffet for the Festival Lunch. Meanwhile, 45 first, second and third-year Hospitality Management students are providing service for the Gala Dinner, including set-up and service for the bars and dining room.
"We’ve incorporated a number of courses right into the event," said Hospitality Management instructor Moe Jones. "Our third-year students developed job descriptions for each service position and conducted interviews with first and second-year students. They’re conducting training sessions for the various jobs involved. Thus, they’re developing skills they’ll use in the industry after graduation."
International students, students in Malaspina’s Interior Design program and other programs have volunteered to help decorate or assist with various events. Nursing students will run a Teddy Bear clinic at Family Days, while students in professional baking will supply dozens of cookies for children to decorate.
Even Malaspina alumni are participating. "We’ll have current students volunteering along side alumni at the Family Days events," said Jon Beekman, Manager of the Alumni Relations Office.
"The Festival of Trees is such a great event because it brings together current students, alumni, staff, community volunteers, families and business leaders to support a worthwhile cause. Everyone involved gains the satisfaction of giving something back to their community."
Molina Chow, a fourth-year student in Malaspina’s Tourism and Recreation Management program, and Volunteer Coordinator for this year’s Festival, is recruiting more volunteers to help at Festival events. If interested, please call 740-6439 or email chowm@viu.ca.
Free parking will be available during all Festival events at Malaspina’s Nanaimo campus (900 Fifth Street) courtesy of Robbins Parking. For tickets to the Festival Soiree ($20 each) or Business Lunch ($30 each), call 740-6258.
For further information about the Festival of Trees, and a complete schedule of events and entertainment, visit the Malaspina University-College website at www.viu.ca/festival.
Tags: In the Community
