The lights will be on in Ladner Village later this month.
The Ladner Business Association (LBA) launched a gofundmecampaign in late August with the goal of raising $30,000 to light up the village.
Jill McKnight, a business association board member from South Coast Casuals, said the group is excited with the progress of the campaign.
"We are at about $8,800 right now and it has been going great. We've had a couple of larger donations come in and we are seeing more and more of our local businesses getting involved, so we are really excited about the response," said McKnight.
"It's important to note that this is a three-year campaign and that we can start the project without all the money. An initial order has been put in for the lights to start. We won't be able to put up all the strings, but we have a good starting point and we hope to be able to make an impression and get some of the lights up in the next couple of weeks."
She said the idea is to get the project started and then fill in the additional trees as more money is raised.
"I think as people start to see it happen then they may be more inclined to donate as well," she added.
The goal is to light up trees on 48th Avenue, Delta Street and Haviland Street with clear LED lights. These lights will remain up for a minimum of five months of the year and will be timed to light the village from dusk to 11 p.m. Additionally, historic placards will be installed next spring to highlight some of the extensive history of the village. These placards will coincide with the walking map currently in development by the LBA.
Besides the online gofundmecampaign, several Ladner businesses are coming up with other ways to raise funds and promote the initiative.
"Our store, for example, in order to let our customers know about it and share with the rest of the community, we are doing a matching campaign," McKnight said. "We are collecting donations up to the end of October and we will match everything that gets put into our jar up to $500. We thought this was a way for everyone to participate who may not want to go online."
She said other businesses have contributed and at the recent street party to celebrate the Delta Street revitalization project, the LBA collected more than $500 in a donation jar.
Those wishing to donate to the campaign can do so at: www.gofundme. com/LadnerVillage, drop by South Coast Casuals with your donation or mail a cheque indicating the Light Up Ladner Village campaign to the Ladner Business Association at PO Box 15 STN Main, Delta, B.C., V4K 3N5.
