Lake Country Star to be lit Friday to support food bank

A member of the Lake Country RCMP and her children will get the holiday season off to a memorable start.

Const. Kerri Parish, and her children Mitchell and Jake, will be lighting the Lake Country Star Friday, Dec. 1.

The Lake Country Star was installed on Spion Kop Mountain by Mitchell, Jake and one of their friends in December of 2020 with the goal of lifting the spirits of the area’s residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the lighting of the star will be used as a kickoff to the RCMP’s Cram the Cruiser event, which goes Saturday, Dec. 2.

The Parish’s will have limited edition 3D printed “Lake Country Star” ornaments available for people to put up on the installation. People can purchase an ornament through a minimum $10 donation or by donating a toy.

All the cash and toys collected from the ornament sales will go to the Cram the Cruiser fundraiser in support of the Lake Country Food Bank.

The Parish’s will be at Apex Park between 4 and 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, to accept donations ahead of the light-up at 5 p.m.

“This is just an excellent example of the community spirit, involvement and dedication our officers and their families show in the community of Lake Country and every other community served by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police,” Cpl. Ryder Birtwistle, media relations officer for the Lake Country detachment, said.

The Lake Country Star is located on Spion Kop Mountain (photo courtesy of the Lake Country RCMP)