By Melissa Smalley
An event described by organizers as the "most important of the year" for the South Cariboo Health Foundation (SCHF) is set to light up the community later this month.
Starry Nights, the premiere fundraising event for the SCHF, will take place Nov. 18 at the 100 Mile District General Hospital, and promises to be a "beautiful, exciting" event, according to the foundation's head of fundraising Brenda Devine.
The lighting ceremony will coincide with two other holiday events in town – the Santa Claus Parade and Moonlight Madness – which will make for a fun-filled, festive evening for a good cause.
"This fundraiser is probably the most important one of the year for the health foundation," Devine says. "For $50, you can become a 'Health Star,' to be lit up at the hospital and it represents your contribution to the foundation."
This year, the event will feature some familiar faces for Disney fans – attendees can be on the look out for characters from the ever-popular movie Frozen.
The festivities will take place once Santa's float – which is set to include local youngsters dressed in costume – has made its way through downtown and to the hospital. Students from 100 Mile House Elementary's choir will entertain attendees with some Christmas tunes, and then a countdown will lead the way to lighting up the bright, festive display.
For Devine, Starry Nights – now in its fourth year – is as much about raising money for the health foundation as it is about raising awareness for what the foundation does, and the importance of having quality health-care facilities within the community.
"We encourage everybody to come out to this, it really is just a beautiful event," Devine says, adding help with the display has come from Garth's Electric and Home Hardware.
"We use local people for this event whenever we can because it's all about the community."
Money raised at this year's Starry Nights has been earmarked for an Arjo bathtub for Fischer Place, where 14 new beds are planned to be added in the spring.
To become a 'Health Star' and donate to the campaign – which runs until the end of January – cheques or cash can be mailed to Bag 399, 100 Mile House, B.C., V0K 2E0, or dropped off at the hospital reception desk. For more information, call 250-706-2101.