The third annual East Kootenay Foundation for Health Starlite Campaign has been its most successful. Thanks to corporate, individual and service club donations over $85,000 has been raised and for the first time all 17 stars were lit.

Donna Grainger, executive director with the East Kootenay Foundation for Health (EKFH), said part of the reason donations were so high may be that the campaign focused on seniors and about $20,000 of funds raised will go to seniors programs and equipment. The rest of the donations were designated gifts, and will go to the area the donor specified.

"I just think there's some groups we've partnered with or been working with, like the Credit Union, and it's a matter of it being the right fit," she said. "I'm hopeful that perhaps people see that we do steward the funds properly, get them allocated out and see the money going to work so, I'm hoping that has something to do with it as well."

Grainger said they also did a mail-out this year that gave people the opportunity to donate and then include a little star with the name of someone they'd like to honour.

"I'd probably say that 80 per cent of those that were returned were brand new donors. I think people having the opportunity to say thanks and remember someone played a part," she said. "Also over $15,000 came from the Cranes of Hope, the legacy of Rod Osiowy. We're seeing a new movement from the youth."

The stars will remain lit for just under a week, with the campaign ending Monday, Jan. 31.

The first year of the Starlite Campaign saw over $55,000 raised and pieces of equipment purchased throughout the region. In its second year $63,000 was raised through the campaign and one of the big purchases made was a node biopsy probe, That year they teamed up with the Credit Union, Abreast in the Rockies, the Health Care Auxiliary and Kootenay Ice player Matt Fraser.

The East Kootenay Community Credit Union has been the star sponsor and started the lighting every year, with this year being no different. The last star and a half lit this year was by Rocky Mountain Diesel, who has also worked with the EKFH for several years and has donated well over $30,000.