A decorative-lighting company that does most of its business at Christmas is putting its products to use in April to support health-care workers.
Workers for FestiLight, which has offices in Victoria and Vancouver, were at work on Monday decorating trees in front of three B.C. hospitals.
The installations at Victoria General Hospital, Burnaby Hospital and Lionsgate Hospital in North Vancouver will remain in place until the COVID-19 pandemic ends, said FestiLight founder Daniel Cowan. He said they’re the first in a series of installations at hospitals across the province.
The company is taking recommendations from the public about hospitals that could be decorated, Cowan said. “It’s the least we can do to show some appreciation to health-care workers.”
Manager Brett Carter was tasked with dressing two 21-metre trees at the main entrance of Victoria General in lights Monday morning, a process that took most of the day. The 70 strings of all-white lights, each seven metres in length, will run on a timer from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each day. “I hope they stay up ’till Christmas, honestly,” Carter said.
Heart-shaped light arrangements will also be added in front of the decorated trees as a nod to the Lights for Life movement, which has seen people around the world turning on their Christmas lights in honour of health-care workers, Cowan said.
“We thought we would take the idea a little step further,” he said. “This is our little way of showing some solidarity during this really difficult time. Hopefully it helps and workers can keep as motivated as possible.”
The decorative-lighting company, which also does weddings and permanent installations, specializes in large-scale Christmas light installations, from Canada Place in Vancouver to the Fairmont Empress in Victoria. The company has also worked on venues such as Canucks Place Children’s Hospice, as a complimentary service.
Cowan said the company is ready to support any number of hospitals until the pandemic passes. “This project is obviously new for us. If this thing is long-term and is going to last through the winter, then we’ll come up with something for the holidays as well.”
> Have you put up your lights to brighten the spirits of front-line workers? Add your display to our Lights of Hope map!
