Nearly 11,000 vehicles and more than 40,000 visitors later, four area charities–Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission, Saint Paul Parks Conservancy Foundation, and UnderConstruction–share in $50,000 raised through Holiday Lights in the Park.

“This was a great community event–thousands of families enjoyed a holiday escape with a dazzling show.  And the charities that help so many in the community reaped the rewards,” Mayor Chris Coleman said.  “Thanks to the men and women of IBEW and King of Kings congregation, who did a wonderful job, we have a new holiday tradition in Saint Paul.”

Holiday Lights in the Park ran Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, 2008.  The event focused on raising funds for local charities and providing an impressive and affordable means of holiday entertainment for people of all ages.  Visitors enjoyed a spectacular array of holiday lights and animated displays as they took a drive through Phalen Park.  The tour was more than a half mile in length along Saint Paul’s Lake Phalen and Phalen Golf Course.

IBEW and King of Kings Church have announced that this event will return in 2009 (Nov. 24 - Dec. 31)!

Coloring Contest Winner 2008:  Tom, eight years old, from Maple Plain, MN

Charity Partners:

Second Harvest Heartland: Ending hunger by distributing more than 41 million pounds of food and grocery products annually to hungry children, family and seniors through more than 1,000 member agencies and programs in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.  www.2harvest.org

Union Gospel Mission:Working to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs of the economically disadvantaged men, women and children of the Twin Cities.  Programs include Naomi Family Residence, Bethel Hotel (men’s shelter), and Asian Ministries.  www.ugmtc.org

St. Paul Parks Conservancy Foundation: Securing resources to enhance parks and recreational opportunities in St. Paul.

UnderConstruction: Teaching youth what it takes to be an employable worker.  Introducing high school students to the construction trades to explore the possibilities of a construction career.