Festival of Trees Volunteers

About Festival of Trees

Since 1985, the University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees, presented by Landmark Homes, has brought families and friends together to celebrate the season, create lasting memories and support critically important causes at the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH) site.

As always, at the core of Festival is our tireless volunteers who commit countless hours and unmeasurable dedication, year after year, to the University Hospital Foundation’s largest fundraising, and friendraising, event of the year.

The success of Festival of Trees speaks for itself – over $25 million raised, supporting causes as far-ranging and lifesaving as Gamma Knife radiosurgery and expanding the cardiovascular intensive care unit at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute to making life better for people living with end-stage kidney disease with the opening of the West Edmonton Kidney Care clinic.

The Opportunities

We have many volunteer opportunities available from helping Set Up and Tear Down to assisting with our Festival of Trees Gala (presented by Suncor), Silver Bell Soiree (presented by Cantiro), and Santa’s Breakfast (presented by Volvo Cars Edmonton). Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Set up & Tear Down:

• Loading and unloading trucks
• Set up and take down of trees and décor items
• Decorating
• Cleaning & Finishing touches

Gala, Soiree & Santa’s Breakfast

• Registration and greeting guests
• Guest assistance
• Monitoring activity stations
• Ensuring the safety of trees and decorations
• Assisting with auctions and raffles
• Wrapping items and tearing down

What is Needed

The requirements for each position may vary, but below are the general requirements for volunteers:

• Positive attitude
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Able to collaborate and work as part of a team
• Reliable, punctual and available for shifts
• Able to lift up to 30 lbs and able to stand and bend
• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Collaborative mindset

Dates and Times

We are looking for volunteers to support on all the dates below. Shift times vary for each role and you are welcome to take more than one shift.

Monday, November 24 (Daytime): Truck unload and Festival set up

• 10:00am-2:00pm
• 1:00pm-5:00pm

Tuesday, November 25 (Daytime): Festival set up

• 9:00am-1:00pm
• 11:00am-3:00pm
• 1:00pm-5:00pm

Wednesday, November 26 (Daytime): Festival set up

• 9:00am-1:00pm
• 11:00am-3:00pm
• 1:00pm-5:00pm

Thursday, November 27 (Evening): Gala

• 4:30pm-11:00pm

Friday, November 28 (Daytime): Set up

• 9:00am-1:00pm
• 12:00pm-4:00pm

Friday, November 28 (Evening): Silver Bell Soiree

• 6:00pm-1:00am

Saturday, November 29 (Daytime): Set Up

• 9:00am-1:00pm

Sunday, November 30 (Morning): Santa’s Breakfast

• 8:00am-1:00pm

Sunday, November 30 (Afternoon): Festival tear down

• 1:00pm-5:00pm
• 3:00pm-8:00pm

Monday, December 1 (Daytime): Festival tear down

• 9:00am-1:00pm
• 11:00am-3:00pm
• 1:00pm-5:00pm

Why Volunteer with Us

We absolutely could not do this event without our dedicated volunteers. Your volunteer contribution at the 2025 Festival of Trees, presented by Landmark Homes, will help us bring monumental change to health and healthcare in Alberta, with impact that will be felt across the globe. To learn more about our transformative projects click here.

On top of the difference you will make, you will meet new people, learn new skills and enjoy a behind the scenes experience of the University Hospital Foundation’s signature event. You will also be invited to our annual volunteer appreciation event so we can properly thank you for your time and effort.

We are also happy to provide letters of reference of your participation upon request.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please email us at volunteer@givetouhf.ca

Volunteers must go through our standard application and screening process which may include interviews and a police record check for certain positions.

Please indicate in your response your preferences and availability.

Volunteers under the age of 18 must have parental consent and must be accompanied by an adult.

We respect and value diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity committed to building an inclusive environment for all applicants and team members. If you require accommodation, please reach out to us at volunteer@givetoUHF.ca or 825-901-0615.

To learn more about us, visit our website at www.GiveToUHF.ca.