A final figure is still to be calculated but close to $700,000 was raised during this year's edition of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation's Festival of Trees, organizers said Wednesday, shattering the old record of $619,000 set last year.
"No amount of words can express how thankful we are for the support we received for this event," said Spirit of the North chief executive officer Judy Neiser.
"We are so very grateful to our sponsors, donors and everyone who attends this event to ultimately strengthen healthcare in the North.
"We respect that donors have a choice in where they donate, and we are so thankful that the community has embraced the Spirit of the North in their philanthropic wishes."
It was the Festival's 20th year and it involved more than 630 volunteers who gave over 13,500 hours durinig the nine days.
Each year a variety of events are sold out well in advance of the Festival. Everything from a teddy bear breakfast, and a family brunch to the fashion show and two seniors teas were well supported.
The gala event drew 325 people and raised $425,195. Within minutes of being asked, attendees donated $120,300 towards purchase of a Diagnostic SPECT CT Scanner for University Hospital of Northern British Columbia.
A Christmas tree donated by Finning went for $100,000 in an auction.
The package included a CAT 226B3 skid steer loader; trips to watch a Canucks game in Vancouver and the Blue Jays in Toronto from corporate suites, with return airfare; a three-day trip to watch the Daytona 500 NASCAR race; a one-week golf resort getaway to Florida; and other skiing and golf prizes.
As well, a fruit cake made by Shirley Gratton, and marinated in spiced rum for three months, went for $1,500.
