A new program offering Radium residents a chance to adopt a tree on the village boulevard is catching on.

For $40, an individual or group can sponsor a string of lights on one of about 18 of the trees lining the community’s main street. For $120, they can adopt the entire tree. In both cases, “adoptive parents” will be recognized with signs.

“It’s community spirit, getting people involved,” says village senior administrative assistant Jill Logan of the new program, which launched last week.

The trees will be strung with white LED lights that are solar powered. Once installed, the village plans to leave them up year-round.

The village hopes to have all of the approximately 18 trees available for adoption claimed before the holidays, and Logan says it’s well on track so far.

A week after they started the program, 11 of the trees had already been claimed.

“It’s well received from all over,” she says. “Second homeowners, local homeowners, businesses, seniors’ groups getting together. People seem to be quite excited about it.”

To adopt a tree, call the village office at 250-347-6455.

“We hope to have a big light up ceremony, so we’re asking people to stay tuned for that,” Logan adds.