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Kamloops family sets up Christmas lights, donation box to collect toys for less fortunate

Using Xmas lights for good

A Dallas family is using their massive Christmas light display to help put toys in the hands of kids who might not see much under the tree this year.

The McNutts, led by 14-year-old Cassie, decided last year to collect clothes for local homeless via their display. They collected several truck loads.

"We worked with Out of the Cold shelter and we raised clothes for all the homeless people who didn't have any for Christmas because it was very cold," says the Valleyview Secondary student.

She checked the bin after school each day to find more.

"It felt like Christmas morning every time we got new clothes in the morning," she tells Castanet.

This year, they decided to join up with Christmas Amalgamated, which helps collect and distribute items for infants, children and youth. So far (they started Dec. 1), they've already collected athletic items, like basketballs and a long board, along with makeup and developmental toys.

"We wanted to make sure in a tough year like this that every kid was going to have a chance to have a present," says Don, Cassie's dad.

The lights are his doing. Each year, for about 15 years, the McNutts' display has grown. Don guesses he's got more than 12,000 lights plugged in right now, which he designed to honour frontline health-care workers.

"We want to make sure that they know we're thinking about them," he says.

People are invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys in the bin any time. The lights will go on each night as it gets dark and switch off around 10 p.m., except Christmas Eve when they'll be on late (and the McNutts may be outside waving).

If you'd like to donate but can't get out to 5215 Dallas Dr., Don can be reached at [email protected] (yes, that's the correct email, with double 'm'). They also take e-transfers and will go out and buy needed items for Christmas Amalgamated with those funds.



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