Bright Lights shine on cancer survivors

Windsor City Council has launched a charity drive to support patients recovering from cancer.

Launching on Dec. 2, the “YQG Hearts for Hope” campaign is a new addition to Windsor Bright Lights. The event is administered by the City of Windsor in partnership with the Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation and Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare Foundation.

The public will be able to make donations ranging from $5 up to $20 during the event. Keeping with COVID-19 precautions, the booth will be equipped with a contact-free system, enabling donors to buy a heart by tapping their credit cards.

“You are making a donation to some wonderful charities, like the Hub, Transition to Betterness and Salvation Army,” said Gisele Seguin, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Philanthropy at the Windsor Regional Hospital. “You get a heart and you just put it up here to show your support.”

Bright Lights Windsor will be open to the public from Dec. 2 to Jan. 9. The theme for this year is “Windsor Wonderland”, “Candy cane lane”, “Santa’s stable” and “wish upon a star”. These are some of the popular light sculptures displays at the event.

Also returning will be the holiday market, titled “W.E. Made It,” featuring crafts and produce of Windsor Essex and Pelee Island region.

Mary Catherine Croshaw, a master’s student at the University of Dublin, Ireland, who lives in Leamington, said the event is a good use of public money.

“I know a couple of years ago when it first started, it was controversial,” said Croshaw. “But I think… they should keep this… It’s becoming an iconic, Windsor holiday feature or staple.”

At launch in 2017, the City Council budgeted $1.5 million for the event. According to Mayor Drew Dilkens, $1 million of that investment came from Enwin, while $500,000 came from Caesar’s Windsor. As the project unfolds, the investment will increase to three million.

“Compared to the farmers’ market, Walkerville and Open Streets, maybe it doesn’t have the same economic benefit,” said Croshaw. “Does it add to the culture? That’s an interesting question. I would say yeah, during the winter season. Everybody is there, posting about it on social media.”

Keeping with COVID-19 precautions, the public will be required to wear masks at all times and maintain a distance of two metres.