Tree ready to give Hope

• Stober Foundation partnering with women’s charities
• Tree to be lit later this month

For the 24th year, Kelowna’s Tree of Hope will return to brighten people’s mood and to mark the beginning of the holiday season.

And there’s a sense of extra sparkle in the air amid hopes of an exit from the pandemic.

“Really [the tree] is meant to bring hope and inspiration to the community,” Dallas Gray, leasing and marketing agent with Landmark District and Stober Group, told Kelowna10.

Passers-by can now see the 120-foot-tall structure along Harvey Ave. It will be lit on Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. The event will be delivered virtually again.

The virtual light up ceremony was introduced last year and is being maintained to comply with public safety measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But Gray notes this year feels different than last.

“I think there’s more certainty this year than there was last year … there’s a lot more hope in having a more normal holiday season. You are allowed gatherings this year. It should be different for sure.”

It takes over a month of labour to construct the Tree of Hope. Steve Lahay is the landscape supervisor at Landmark District and oversees erecting the tree.

Beginning in September, Lahay and his crew inspects each LED light cable, about 25,000 bulbs and 1,000 strands, to ensure they’re all functioning.

“It’s a passion [of mine] because of what it stands for. It stands for the start of the holiday season, and everybody seems to have a better frame of mind,” Lahay said.

“Funny part is, it doesn’t matter whether there’s COVID this year or last. The tree brings smiles to people’s faces. And to me that’s the important thing.”

Last year, Tree of Hope’s Stober Foundation partnered with the Child Advocacy Centre, raising over $400,000 for children in need.

This year’s charity focus is on at-risk women in our community. The Stober Foundation is partnering with both Now Canada and Karis Support Society, encouraging the community to donate in their support.

To give and learn more about the charities, visit the Tree of Hope’s website.

Currently all efforts are focused on this year’s festivities but next year marks the 25th anniversary of the tree. The Landmark 7 building is expected to be finished along with the Tree of Hope Plaza. Gray said he expects there to be a large celebration to look forward to.