It was a memorable season of giving for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation’s (CKHAF) 34th annual Christmas Wish Tree, as the effort raised more than $170,000.
Launching in late November and running throughout the holiday season, this year’s campaign raised $170,375, surpassing the foundation’s goal for an event that has become a Christmas tradition in Chatham-Kent over the past three decades.
“It has been such a privilege to witness the generosity of this wonderful community throughout the holiday season in support of our Christmas Wish Tree campaign,” stated Christine Mitchell, CKHAF president & CEO, in a media release. “It takes a special, thoughtful, and caring community to cultivate a cherished local fundraiser like this over so many years, and that’s exactly what we have here in Chatham-Kent. With the immense support of our donors and partners, we were able to far exceed our fundraising goal this year, and this truly means the world to us.”
The funds raised will be invested in life-changing equipment, program innovation, and facility upgrades at CKHA’s Chatham and Wallaceburg sites.
Equipment and facilities funded by the foundation in 2023 have enhanced care across a wide variety of programs at CKHA, including the mental health and addictions programs, the women and children’s program, the dialysis unit, diagnostic imaging, and more.
“Every donation made to the Christmas Wish Tree campaign will make a real difference for hospital patients from across our community, as well as their loved ones,” said Bob Hockney, CKHAF board chair.
The foundation appreciated the support of the WFCU Credit Union as presenting sponsor this year. The success of the campaign was also made possible by the support of many other community partners, including Western Equipment, WINMAR Property Restoration Specialists – Chatham, Honey Electric, Fairway Wealth Management, Jayden Construction, Progressive Ford, Salus Mutual, and TekSavvy Solutions Inc.
This annual fundraiser encourages community members to make donations in honour or in memory of loved ones, while the lighting of the Christmas Wish Trees offers a symbolic way to honour those individuals throughout the Holiday season. Donors honoured more than 500 family members, friends and loved ones from across the community and beyond throughout this year’s campaign.
