LISBON -- After two successful years and a pile of paperwork, Lights on the River is officially a non-profit organization.

Lights on the River, Inc. was recently approved as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

This means all donations to Lights on the River will be tax-deductible as per IRS guidelines.

For the past two years the organization has put on an annual holiday light display at Lisbon Town Campground.

Donations from the gate have been donated to local food pantries.

Lights on the River began in 2010 as six friends sat down at a family kitchen table with an idea to bring more holiday magic to the community.

The idea then grew to include the community and benefiting local food pantries.

The organization has raised over $16,400 and thousands of food items for local food pantries in Lisbon, Ogdensburg, Canton, Heuvelton, Waddington and Hammond and a backpack program in Lisbon.

This year, Lights on the River, Inc. is looking to continue to help those food pantries.

The group is currently looking for sponsors and displays to help make this year's event even bigger.

Anyone interested in being part of the third annual Lights on the River, which runs from Dec. 15 to the 23, can contact Scott at 854-2657 or Stephanie at 393-1796, or visit http://www.LightsOnTheRiver.org.