Tree of Hope Holiday Appeal begins November 13

Published on: 2019/11/08 - in Releases

RELEASE — The 2019 Tree of Hope Campaign begins November 13th. The 100-year-old annual holiday appeal by Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is planning to help 900 kids that the Children’s Aid Society serves with toys, clothing and more.

“Once again, we’re asking for the community’s support to help the children, youth and families we serve. Let’s show them what the holiday spirit is all about as they benefit from our incredibly generous community,” said Sonia Gentile, Executive Director of Family and Children’s Services.

The Campaign will launch November 13th at 11:30AM with a Livestream event on Facebook.

The Tree of Hope and its legacy campaigns started shortly after the creation of Family and Children’s Services in Kingston in 1894. Through the years it has evolved into one of the oldest continuous holiday appeals in Southeastern Ontario.

Last year’s campaign was the best in a hundred years. The Tree of Hope helped nearly 850 kids served with toys, clothing and more. Half were under the age of nine, including 50 infants. Another forty percent were between nine and 17. About a third of those helped were outside of Kingston, including 75 from Napanee alone. The campaign raised almost $70,000, a new historic record.

Thanks to the 2018 campaign the Tree of Hope helped hundreds of kids all year round, including sending a record number of children to summer camp this past July and August. It also helped buy baby gear, personal items and more. It supported urgent travel requests and sports and recreation programs. It even helped one family pay for funeral costs when their child passed away.

“We urgently need people to donate money to the Tree of Hope. Can your family help one of the families we serve this holiday season?” said Gentile.

This year’s Tree of Hope is sponsored by Rapport Credit Union. The campaign will be run by two dozen volunteers and staff. Planning for the campaign started in July.

More information on the Tree of Hope can be found at HelpTreeofHope.ca.


Release: Family and Children’s Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington