SpiritWest Services Work for the Dole participants leant a hand at Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church in Werribee last week to help prepare for the annual Christmas Lighting Festival.

The participants put their regular work at Werribee Support and Housing on hold to help decorate the church with some of the two and half kilometres of lights that are on display until December 22.

Assisting with setting up the Christmas lights gave the Work for the Dole participants an opportunity to share in a true Christmas experience while helping the local community get into the spirit of the festive season.

The 2007 Christmas Lighting Festival opening ceremony took place last Friday night, with the lights officially turned on to mark 8 years of the church event.

Up to 10,000 are expected to visit Saint Thomas’ to view the lighting display, including over 40 real trees in the Christmas tree forest, a fibre optic display and a fairy garden, all of which are illuminated by thousands of lights.

Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church is located on the corner of Grieve and Synnot streets in Werribee, with the lighting spectacular open nightly between 8 and 11pm.

As the community arm of the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs, SpiritWest run a wide range of Work for the Dole initiatives in the western region. For more information on how to get invloved in Work for the Dole programs please contact the club on 1300 GO DOGS (46 36 47).