To the Editor:

I am very pleased to announce that the tree lights on King Street will remain on this next coming spring as we have matched the contingency Council, led by Del Pepper, set aside to use for this purpose. They set aside $13,500. We had to match 1/2 of that by early in March 2014 to keep the lights on through June 2014.

All of the money has been deposited with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

So , if you are one of these that made the contribution, please come to one of the following events to claim your place in history.

The donors are: Frank Fannon, George Seghers from The Masonic Memorial, Ann Dorman with First Night, Andrew Palmerie, Lynn Hampton, Franco Landini with Landini Brothers Restaurant and Fish Market, The Enchanted Florest, Walker Real Estate, Hard Times Cafe, The Creamery, David Baker, Joan Renner, Maginniss & DelNinni Architects, Don Simpson, John Porter with ACT for Alexandria, and citizens: Phil Hollywood, Randall Larrimore, Helen Sullivan-Kumar, Phillip Hollywood, and Lana Slack, P. N Clopper, John and Elizabeth Chimmento, Joseph Resende, Margaret Wholler, C.R. Hollywood, Council Del Pepper, Seaport Properties, William Moyer, Council Timothy Lovain, Sara Pearson, John Norton, The Lamplighter, Medieval Maddness, King's Jewelry, Rock It Grill, Charles Hulfish, Gant Redmon, and David Martin with Gold Works USA.

This comes to $6750 now collected.

Hopefully, this week, we will present the money to the city at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Business After hours reception at BB&T Bank, 1901 M. Vernon Ave., Thursday at 5:30 til 7 p.m.

And then it will be done more officially and ceremonially at City Hall Council session Saturday, Feb, 22, in the morning sometime near 9:30 a.m.

David Martin

Custom Jewelry & Sculpture

Alexandria