The people of Prince George are opening their wallets and lighting up lives.
The proof is glowing on that 60-foot tall Christmas tree that sits on top of the roof at Coast Prince George Hotel with every string of lights that get turned as donations pour in to the United Way of Northern BC.
The revival of the longstanding Tree of Lights tradition has so far brought in a total of $20,375 to help pay for mental health supports in the Prince George region and the campaign goal of $25,000 is well within reach.
“We are so grateful to the people and organizations that provided gifts in a range of amounts - from the change out of their pockets to $5 for lighting a bulb in the name of someone, to an anonymous $5,000 donation, we are taken aback by the true sense of community this tree has brought and the generosity of the people around us,” said Trista Spencer, interim executive director of United Way of Northern BC.
“The significance of this amount of funding can’t be understated. It will help more than we know and may well be the difference in many people’s lives between surviving and thriving. Again, we can’t express enough how thankful we are for the community that surrounds us and how truly supportive everyone has been.”
The Coast hotel has agreed to extend the Tree of Lights campaign to Dec. 31 and will donate $5 from any new bookings received in that time.
"We have seen some other donations coming in as well, so would like to leave the opportunity open for anyone who may not have had the chance to give their gift but would like to," said Spencer. "Perhaps we will still get to the $25,000 goal yet!”
Private donors have until Jan. 12 to contribute at the United Way office on the fifth floor of the Prince George Native Friendship Centre at 1600 Third Ave.
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