Prince George, B.C. – The Salvation Army will be celebrating its 25^th Anniversary of the “Tree of Lights” campaign this afternoon, when the tree atop the Inn of the North will be all aglow. 

Normally, the campaign kicks off on the same evening the City has it’s event at the Civic Centre Plaza, but the City event  is still one full week away. 

“We wanted to mark our anniversary with something that would set it apart” says Salvation Army Captain Neil Wilkinson. “So with the generous hospitality of the Coast Inn of the North, we will have entertainment in the lobby of the Hotel starting at 4:00 and then   Santa will rappel down the side of the hotel amid a laser light show.” 

The Tree of Lights fundraising goal is $50 thousand dollars this year, up from the $40 thousand dollar target set last year. The 2011 mark was achieved , in fact, the total donations hit the $41 thousand dollar mark. The funds are used to support Salvation Army programs for the next year. 

Each month the Salvation Army food bank  feeds nearly 800 families  in Prince George. Cpt. Wilkinson says he expects the number of Christmas hampers needed this year will hover around the 800 mark. 

The tree light up is set for 5:30.