This year’s Founder’s Tree was created by local textile artist, Adriane Abbott. Click on the links below for more information:
The History Behind the Founder's Tree
Over the past 20 years, Compass Group Canada Festival of Trees has become synonymous with mental health and remains the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia’s largest fundraising event. Its origins can be attributed to one man – the late Charles V. Keating. As Festival's founding father and past Foundation Chair, Charles had a vision to create a community of supporters who could break down the stigma of mental illness.
In 1986, Charles, along with his good friend J.R. Shaw, attended a holiday fundraiser in support of the University Hospital in Edmonton. Although Charles had been to many gala events over the years, this particular event sparked something in him. And after that special evening, Charles knew what had to be done. The seeds were planted, the vision became clear, and the Festival of Trees was born.
For 20 years, Charles’ vision to build support and Change the Way People Think about mental illness has lived on through Festival of Trees.
In honour of Charles’ incredible dedication to mental health, each year the Keating family commissions a local artist to create a one-of-a-kind art piece known as the Founder’s Tree. This piece is auctioned at the Compass Group Canada Festival of Trees Black Tie Gala, with all of the funds raised going towards the Foundation’s efforts to build awareness and support for mental health.