Winners: Fairmount Chateau Laurier’s Tree of Hope for CHEO

When it comes to Christmas, the Fairmont Château Laurier sets the bar so high that even Santa’s sleigh on delivery night appears low altitude, by comparison.

On Monday, the hotel kicked off its annual Trees of Hope fundraiser for CHEO with its always-popular lighting ceremony and auction. Hundreds of invited guests dropped into the bustling ballroom to admire the 34 trees, all sponsored by local businesses and decorated that afternoon.

 

The crowd was also there to bid on 228 silent auction items. The donations included a generous selection of two-night stays in Fairmont hotels around Canada and the United States (including Maui), original artworks, Rideau Centre gift cards galore and tonnes of toys.

Alex Munter, CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, was joined by magazine publisher Mary Taggart (who was also representing top sponsor Tamarack Homes) and their fellow volunteer judges in choosing the trees that best captured this year’s themes of Good and Gold and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

 

In the former category, District Realty won with their Paris-themed tree adorned with champagne flutes and masquerade masks while the legal team from Sicotte Guilbault captured the judges’ hearts with its vintage-styled tree topped with an aviator Santa.
The trees are to remain on display throughout the holiday season in the hotel’s public spaces. Everyone is encouraged to come vote on their favourite while making a donation to CHEO.

Attendees included Château Laurier general manager Claude Sauvé and the indomitable Deneen Perrin. She’s the hotel’s director of public relations and main organizer of the festive benefit. She anticipates this year’s Trees of Hope will end up raising $95,000 for CHEO.

What makes the evening so special, Perrin noted, is the presence of families. It’s one of the few parties on the social circuit that also welcomes children (and then proceeds to spoil them with an array of delicious desserts). Seen with their young kids in tow were Peter Nicholson from WCPD Foundation and Richcraft’s Monica Singhal and Kevin Yemm, who were highest bidders on the donated family ski pass to Mont Ste. Marie.