By Erin Mussolum

LAST YEAR, the Trinity Western University campus was lit up with thousands of twinkling lights and special activities, as more than 4,000 guests attended the Spirit of Christmas community celebration.

As this second annual celebration is ramping up, additional activities are planned – with proceeds going to support the ministry of the Salvation Army.

The Great West Life Spirit of Christmas will feature concerts by local school groups and community performers, Christmas craft sales, an outdoor theatrical nativity presentation with live animals, Christmas tree sales, a tree decoration contest and a variety of other activities for children and adults.

Positioned as the kick-off event to Langley's Christmas in the Valley, an extensive television, radio and print campaign is planned to promote the Fraser Valley as a Christmas attraction for Lower Mainland residents. The university is anticipating 10,000 visitors to their campus this year.

“We are really excited about the plans for this year's event,” Spirit of Christmas producer Michael Wipf stated. “Not only have we added another day to the event, but our opening night kick-off is going to be something people will not want to miss.” Hosted by Suzanne Smith of Omni Television, he added, the inaugural evening “will showcase some extraordinary talent – such as the Salvation Army band, the MEI concert choir, recording artists Marika, Chris Janz and Josh Garrels, and many other performers.”

The event was conceived as a way for Trinity Western to show its appreciation to local municipalities in the Fraser Valley, by inviting people to help usher in the Christmas season as part of a community.

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Members of the Langley Ukulele Association play at the 2006 Spirit of Christmas. Photo: Seth Oglesby.

Many sponsors partner with the university. Great West Life will be the title sponsor for the second year in a row, contributing to the event financially and supplying much-needed volunteers.  

Great West regional manager David Nelson extolled the event as “a great opportunity to support the work of one of the Fraser Valley's leading institutions – and participate in a great community event.”

With the addition of an extra day of festivities this year, there are a variety of ways in which individuals, groups and businesses can help benefit the Salvation Army.

They include a Christmas tree decorating contest, with proceeds from tree sponsorship going toward the Army; a craft sale, where crafters and artisans can contribute to the charity by renting a table; and the ‘Oh Christmas’ tree farm, which will offer Christmas trees for sale –  with a percentage donated to the cause. The Salvation Army's signature red kettles will also be present on the TWU campus.

“Going into our second year,” said Wipf, “we really want to make the Spirit of Christmas a holiday destination for families in the Lower Mainland. Through our partners and sponsors, we are aiming to increase the talent that will be performing this year, open up more opportunities for the public to become involved and raise an even greater awareness for the Salvation Army – an organization that needs a great amount of support during the holidays.”

For more information about the Spirit of Christmas, and the various opportunities to help support the Salvation Army, contact: twu.ca/christmas.

November 2007