At the official Wintertide Opening Ceremonies on November 23, 2012, special guests Noah and Serenity, both “Wish Children,” flipped the switch at Province House and instantly brightened the historic Great George Street in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, with festive Christmas lights. Five-year-old Noah had an additional honour: selecting the winner of the “Best Decorated Tree” from the 38 submissions for the annual Christmas Tree Lane fundraiser in support of the P.E.I. Chapter of The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.
The annual Christmas Tree Lane event raises awareness and funds for the local Children’s Wish chapter. It’s an event that the REALTORS® and staff of CENTURY 21 Colonial Realty Inc. have been proud to be a part of for several years now.
This year, the team decided to play to their audience with a toy-themed tree. Thanks to the teamwork of the many CENTURY 21 volunteers, the decorating took less than 15 minutes. When it came time for a winner to be selected, the CENTURY 21 team successfully eked out a victory against close rival Cooke Insurance and their Toronto Maple Leaf-themed entry. Although the competition was fierce, it was all in good fun in support of a great cause.
“To see the joy these decorated trees bring to the Wish Child who gets to judge them makes everyone feel terrific and puts everyone in the Christmas spirit,” explains CENTURY 21 Colonial Manager Perri Craig.
Children’s Wish is a cause that is close to the hearts of the REALTORS® and staff of CENTURY 21 Colonial year-round. “Christmas Tree Lane is just one event that they participate in, always putting great effort into their “tree decorating” techniques and keeping in mind what will put a smile on a wish child’s face,” explains Beth Corney Gauthier, Chapter Director – Prince Edward Island with The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. “They also have had a team in our Exile Island fundraiser in 2011 and 2012, calling themselves the CENTURY 21 Centurions and raising thousands of dollars for the cause.”
“With CENTURY 21, there is no shortage of team spirit and giving back to their community,” Beth continues. “They are always willing to do whatever is necessary to support The Children’s Wish Foundation’s mission of granting wishes to children between the ages of 3 and 17 who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness. On behalf of our wish children and their families, we are forever grateful.”
“I’ve always thought that Children’s Wish was a great cause because of what they do for children battling health issues,” explains Broker Joel Ives. “I felt even stronger after having children myself and couldn’t imagine them having to go through what wish kids go through. Since becoming a board member of the P.E.I. Chapter, I have been able to see and hear how the experience of a wish helps not only the child but their whole family.”
Pictured (left to right): Gerry Blanchard, Dan Gass, Joel Ives, Ian MacEachern, Shari Boucher, Perri Craig, Jackie Reid, Rylee Power, Marcia Ives, Abby Ives, Kimberley McCullough , Gary Power, Danielle Ives, Ritchie Simpson, Rich Beharrell, Kendra Stretch, Cindy Beharrell, Brodie Lantz, Ronan Lantz, Kelly Lantz, and JP Robison.
