Students light up the night for a good cause

BCIT Electrical Foundation Instructor Don Zaklan is flanked by two of the 16 students volunteering to set up this years St Pauls Lights of Hope display

For 15 years, BCIT Instructor Don Zaklan has shepherded a group of BCIT Electrical Foundation students to the intersection at Burrard and Helmcken. Over two weeks in November, they work under Don’s leadership to ready a Vancouver holiday tradition – the St. Paul’s Lights of Hope.

And it’s already that time of year again! For the last week, 16 high-school students from the Princess Margaret Secondary ACE-IT program have been learning electrical skills ‘on-the-job’ for a good cause. Along with nearly 150 other volunteers, the students wire, test, and waterproof the 10km of holiday lights.

Since its inception in 1998, the St Paul’s Light of Hope campaign has raised over $28 million for the hospital’s greatest needs. You can support the Lights of Hope fundraising campaign by donating online.

The 2016 display will be lit for the first time November 24, as thousands of Vancouverites will gather around Burrard Street to experience the annual fireworks display and festive cheer.

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