TELUS Candle Light-Up for Hope for COVID-19 Pandemic

TELUS Candle Light-Up for Hope for COVID-19 Pandemic

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

The TELUS candle is normally lite-up to kickoff the Christmas Light-up Parade in Vegreville during the holiday season as a whole. But on April 7, the TELUS candle was lite-up after the Lights of Hope’s event, and will serve as a beacon and icon of hope, and to express appreciation to our front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As always, people kept to the rules of social distancing and almost everyone watched the parade and TELUS Candle Light-Up from the comfort of their homes. The idea to have the TELUS candle rekindled came from Vegreville resident Kathy Reesik. Reesik, who has resided in Vegreville for the past 13 years, was on Facebook looking at some of the other initiatives people had and thought of the TELUS candle. She said she thought about the frontline workers, seniors, and families who have all been affected by this emergency health crisis. Reesik kept phoning and texting Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee for him to get permission from TELUS to re-light the candle. “I wouldn’t let it go. I just felt it’s too important to let go.” COVID-19 has been a total lifestyle change, added Reesik, who wanted to bring hope to people during this time. The Town of Vegreville is encouraging residents to turn on their lights of hope, whether it be porch light, Christmas lights or candles. Photos of light displays can be sent using the hashtag #VegrevilleTogether.

The TELUS candle was turned back on during the Lights of Hope event on April 7. (News Advertiser/File Photo