The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter kicked off its annual Dawson’s Lights fundraiser yesterday. (Sunday)
Every year, the shelter decorates the tree outside Smithers Feed Store with strings of Christmas lights which are then turned on to represent every $25 donation.
“And we use that then for next year’s releases and rescues to be funded,” said Assistant Manager Tanja Landry.
Last year, the campaign raised over $25,000.
“It started many years ago with a bear cub named Dawson who generated a lot of support, people loved his story, and he became a mascot for the Christmas fundraising season,” she said.
Along with the annual fundraiser, the shelter is working towards creating a new enclosure for their moose to be released in.
According to Landry, the group has been doing moose rehabilitation since the beginning.
“Unfortunately, there’s been some changes in the way that we are able to raise and release them, so it’s become necessary to build a new enclosure for them to stay in longer.”
The goal to build the new enclosure was $250,000.
Links to donate to the fundraisers can be found on the shelter’s Facebook page.
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