Festival of Trees raises $130,000

The Festival of Trees enjoyed a record breaking year in 2007.

The popular Christmas fundraiser for the Malaspina University-College Foundation raised $130,000, up from $106,000 the previous year.

The bulk of the proceeds - $75,000 - will go towards the Foundation’s Keys to Success campaign which supports student scholarships, awards and bursaries. The remainder will go into student programs and to the Foundation’s endowment fund.

The good news was announced at the 12th annual Business Breakfast held recently at Malaspina’s Nanaimo campus. The sold out event attracted over 250 community and business leaders, many of whom are long-time supporters of the Festival of Trees and Malaspina.

2007 Festival Chair Jeet Manhas said funds donated to the Keys to Success campaign will be matched with pledges of $500 or more per year over three years from local businesses or individuals to support student scholarships, awards and bursaries. A total of 35 new pledges were received at this year’s Business Breakfast.

Support from the business community and fundraising efforts by the Foundation go a long way to making post-secondary education more affordable and accessible for students, said Malaspina President Dr. Ralph Nilson. “The on-going community support for events such as the Festival of Trees and the Business Breakfast is gratifying,” said Nilson. “Our students benefit directly.”

The Malaspina Foundation currently manages over 600 student awards that are provided by donors. Every year, there are more students who qualify for recognition or financial aid than there are funds available.

“That’s our ongoing project - to encourage students who are doing well, and support students who have financial challenges that could prevent them from finishing their programs,” said Foundation Chair George Hrabowych.

Now in its 15th year, the Foundation is the charitable arm of Malaspina University-College, and raises more than two million dollars annually to support students with scholarships and bursaries, and provide new teaching and learning equipment. The Foundation manages a $6.7 million endowment fund.

The main goal for 2008 will be to increase the number and value of scholarships, awards and bursaries for students.

For more information about the Malaspina Foundation’s Keys to Success campaign and how you can contribute, contact Susie Caswell at (250) 740-6216.