Giving is...a wonderful feeling.
We feel privileged to help those that are less fortunate both financially and emotionally.
We did not have a master plan to become the ultimate Christmas display of the South Bay when we started this back in 1995. It all started innocently enough when we wrapped our two front magnolia trees in white lights. Every year following, the kids would ask: "What are we going to add this year?" And it just kept growing.
When we computerized the display in 2002, folks said to me that I should charge admission. That didn't sound like the right thing to do, but taking donations for those in need did.
Collecting money for food when folks are standing there enjoying a beautiful Christmas display seemed like the most logical choice. I was already very familiar with Second Harvest Food Bank from supporting its work over the years during my career at Applied Materials.
Our first year, we raised $8,000. In 2009, we raised over $54,000.
Our Christmas display makes people happy. We create memories that last a lifetime. Then we get the double bonus of folks "donating back" with money that will go to feed those in need.
Anyone can do whatever makes them happy while helping others at the same time. This just happens to be the way our family does it.
-Dave Severns
Learn more about running a drive at www.shfb.org/ffd.