Winter Wonderland set to make return

Aspac marketing co-ordinator Karen Tung (second from left) and Aspac vice-president of development John Ryan (third from left), present a cheque for $10,000 to the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club’s Magdalen Leung (far right) Wednesday afternoon. Also pictured, at left, Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

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• Winter Wonderland lights up Richmond City Hall
• Steveston market returns for 2012 winter season
• Summer WHAM returns Aug. 30
• Maritime festivals in Steveston set to return this summer
• World Food Day returns Oct. 15
• Steveston Rotary’s annual seniors BBQ returns July 14

Red, green, blue, gold and silver lights will soon be twinkling in the galleria of Richmond City Hall.

Winter Wonderland is set to return, an annual seasonal festival that raises funds for Richmond Sunset Rotary Club's community and global initiatives.

Now in its 11th year, businesses and organizations can once again donate $1,500 and showcase their business by decorating one of 30 Christmas trees that will be on display inside city hall until the end of December.

In a news release, event chair Magdalen Leung thanked residents and sponsors for their ongoing support over the years.

“Your generosity has benefited thousands of people in our community and around the world, and with your continued philanthropy, we can make this the best year yet," she said.

Trees will begin to sparkle Saturday, Nov. 26. That's when Richmond's new city council will mark opening day by "lighting" the trees at 12:30 p.m. The first two of several holiday concerts will follow at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Various local community groups will entertain at five more weekend matinee performances all beginning at 1 p.m.: Dec. 3, 10, 17. Concerts are free, but attendees are encouraged to make cash donations or offer donations of non-perishable food items to support Richmond Food Bank.

With funds raised by generous Christmas tree sponsors, the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club will provide support for the following projects:

•Minoru Park children’s playground;

•Richmond Christmas Fund;

•Seniors Christmas high tea at Richmond City Hall;

•Hugh Boyd Secondary video equipment;

•Kwantlen Polytechnic University Scholarship Endowment Fund;

•Richmond Community Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund;

•Seniors Easter luncheon at Vancouver Airport Marriott;

•Government House/Rotary Aboriginal Literacy Program;

•Richmond firefighters’ Global Village Project;

•Joint project with Rotary District 3500 on literacy in Taiwan;

•Ongoing support for the Refilwe community in South Africa;

•Rotary Foundation.

This year’s event sponsor is ASPAC Development, with Concord Pacific as the gold sponsor, The Richmond Review as the media sponsor and the City of Richmond as a supporting partner.

There is still a need for individuals, businesses and community organizations to support this important charitable event. For more information on how to sponsor a Christmas tree or support Rotary programs, contact Magdalen Leung at 604-214-8832 or magrleung@gmail.com.