21st Annual Harbour Lights Campaign Begins December 4th

Partners at Port Saint John and Saint John Energy join CBC Radio One Information Morning for the 21st annual Harbour Lights campaign December 4 to December 22, 2017.Each November the operations team at Port Saint John assembles the giant Christmas tree at Long Wharf.  Once the campaign begins the more than 52,000 lights on the tree are gradually lit by donations. When the total reaches $50,000, the tree and star are fully lit.  Designed to be a cause that every person can contribute to, each bulb on the tree represents a $2 donation to the campaign.Over the past 20 years, more than $2.7 million has been raised for 14 food banks from St. Stephen to Sussex.  While the original concept was to help food banks manage the challenging winter months, the funds raised have become vital annual support upon which food bank organizers depend.CBC organizes and executes the campaign on air while Port Saint John and Saint John Energy enable the assembly and lighting of the massive Christmas tree at Long Wharf, but all three organizations agree that the people of the region make the results possible.As the campaign has grown over the years, so too has the involvement of individuals and organizations.  Bake sales, breakfasts, coffee houses, staff-corporate donations and students at schools in the region have all made a significant difference in the past 2 decades.“Countless fundraising initiatives take place across the region, from a signature Java Moose coffee brand and open mic nights to hand-made spinning tops and the Santa Toll at Point Lepreau, we are continually impressed with how the people of our region embrace raising money for this important cause,” said Jim Quinn, President & CEO of Port Saint John.“We are pleased to be on board again providing the energy used by the Harbour Lights tree for a third year,” added Ray Robinson, President & CEO of Saint John Energy. “Food banks provide critical support to our most vulnerable citizens and community-driven campaigns such as this are vital to their operation.”In addition to the on air fundraising focus, a Harbour Lights road show was introduced a number of years ago which runs for the first 2 weeks of the campaign.  The road show includes stops in 9 communities where food banks are helping those in need all year long.  This an opportunity for residents of St. Andrews, St. Stephen, Sussex, Hampton, Rothesay, Grand Bay-Westfield, St. Martins, St. George, and Saint John to come out, meet the Harbour Lights team and community volunteers who help with the campaign as they donate to a charity helping people in their own village, town or city.During the last road show stop, the live broadcast from the City Market on December 15^th, the coveted limited edition 21^th anniversary Harbour Lights pottery mug will be available beginning at 6:00 am and is sure to sell out quickly.  The campaign then continues on air until December 22^rd but donations are accepted into the New Year online and in person.

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Media contacts: Paula Copeland, manager of corporate communications, Port Saint John, Cell: (506) 650-5288, Email: pcopeland@109.199.110.97Jessica DeLong, Communications specialist, Saint John Energy, Tel: (506) 658-5225, Cell: (506) 647-0365, Email: jessica.delong@sjenergy.com 

Backgrounder

 How to donate?

• In person at CBC.  Cash & cheque only.  Cheques payable to Harbour Lights
• By donating on-line (Credit cards and PayPal)  Click the Donate button on cbc.ca/harbourlights

Live Broadcasts and Remotes promoting Harbour Lights:

• Monday, Dec 4 – NBCC foyer / cafeteria, St. Andrews
• Tuesday, Dec 5 ­­– Match Factory, Hampton
• Wednesday, Dec 6 – Tim Horton’s Sussex (Gateway Mall location)
• Thursday, Dec 7 – Something’s Brewing, St. Stephen
• Friday, Dec. 8 – Human Performance Centre 24-hour Cyclathon, Grand Bay-Westfield
• Monday, Dec. 11 – The Station, St. Martins
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Uncle Mayn’s Café / Gas Station , St. George
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Shadow Lawn Inn, Rothesay (Breakfast)
• Friday, Dec. 15 – Live CBC Information Morning Broadcast from City Market, Saint John

On Social Media:The campaign is using the hashtags:  #cbcharbourlights  #cbchelps