Hotel Macdonald holds Christmas tree lighting for good cause

Edmonton's Fairmont Hotel Macdonald held its annual tree lighting on Friday.

Edmonton’s Fairmont Hotel Macdonald held its annual Christmas tree lighting on Friday.

The tree sits in the historic hotel’s lobby.

“As we kick off the holiday season. It’s always nice to welcome members of the community in. It’s a long standing tradition for many families, and it’s the start of their holiday traditions that they celebrate with us,” Cole Millen, the hotel’s general manager, said.

“People come in from multiple generations. We’ve had people that were coming as kids. Now they bring their kids or their grandkids.”

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The hotel is also raising money for the Make a Wish Foundation and the Bissell Centre as part of the campaign.

The hotel will donate $10 from a room night package to Make-A-Wish.

It’s also donating $15 from every $30 gift tea box sold at the hotel.

“Bissell Centre has been a partner of ours for three years now. We’ll give them a nice donation to help say thank you and help them support families who maybe can’t afford to put food on the table this holiday season,” Millen said.

A spokesperson for the Bissell Centre says the organization appreciates the support from the hotel.

“They’re part of our coldest night of the year walk-a-thon that we do every February. They’ve been a very gracious rest stop for us, for our walkers on their route,” Jonathan Mackereth said.

“For the past few years, we’ve been part of the Christmas tree lighting, and we’re very honored to receive the funds.”

“We’re very grateful for the connection and for the family that we’ve built with the staff and the people here.”