The Ladner Business Association (LBA) is preparing to flip the switch on this year’s Light Up Ladner campaign.
This is year two for the GoFundMe campaign with the goal of raising the funds ($30,000) for the lighting and three-year maintenance of the lights for the trees on 48th Avenue, Delta Street and Haviland Street. The lights are timed to light the village from dusk to 11 p.m.
“The lights are in the trees, and we are now just working on the final touches,” said acting LBA president Jill McKnight. “People will notice the lights in the trees, so as part of that, and since this was a GoFundMe campaign, the LBA is re-launching its fundraising efforts and letting people know we are accepting donations and other ways people can give.”
Several merchants have Light Up Ladner donation jars in their businesses, with the idea that every quarter, Toonie or Loonie adds up when you have a whole community participating, said McKnight.
“People can also donate by cheque by dropping one off at South Coast Casuals,” she added. “We have the GoFundMe page at: www.gofundme.com/LadnerVillage. We have also applied for a couple of grants.”
McKnight said the LBA is doing this for the local residents to enjoy and to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and encourages people to get out and walk in the streets. “There is certainly something to be said during those darker days of the year when you walk out onto the street and see the lights, it creates a positive feeling,” she said. “We also want to help promote Ladner Village in other communities that this is a great place to shop, have dinner and that we have this great walking community and we hope that the light campaign helps us build on that.”
Last year the project raised about $13,000. This year’s goal is $9,000.
“It’s incredible the amount of volunteer support that goes into something like this. We estimate it is going to be over 100 hours,” McKnight said.
