Troubles continue for the Leland Chamber of Commerce, which put out a call for donations on Wednesday to help fund its “Light Up Leland” Christmastime light display.

According to a Facebook post, the chamber has a funding gap of about $6,000 that it needs to close by this coming Monday, October 21 in order to keep the annual holiday tradition on track. The chamber is now taking donations in hopes of funding Light Up Leland for 2024.

The lack of funds for Light Up Leland is part of a troubling year for the Leland Chamber of Commerce. In February, the organization announced the cancellation of its signature annual fundraiser, the Leland Wood & Wine Festival, due to difficulties finding a venue. The chamber said at the time that cancelling the festival not only meant disrupting “a long -standing tradition in Leland,” but also jeopardized funding “for numerous community activities and beautification projects that have become integral to our town's character and vibrancy,” including “village beautification and flowers, Independence Day fireworks, holiday lights on Main Street, town marketing and promotion, and essential services such as trash removal.”

Sure enough, in March, the Leland Chamber put out a call for donations to help pay for the Leland Fourth of July fireworks. Generous contributions from dozens of locals meant the chamber was able to put on that Independence Day celebration after all. Now, the chamber is looking for a similar groundswell of support to salvage its holiday lights display.