Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

MERRY AND BRIGHT!

Cassie’s Charity Drive gets lit, raises funds for Kamloops Hospice Society

Dec 5, 2023 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Lit only by a few propane fire pits, the mood was cozy at the McNutt residence last Saturday night (Dec. 2). However, that was set to change…

But wait! A classic Christmas villain got wind of the event hosted to kick off the holidays and tried his best to sabotage it!

Despite his best… or worst work, the Grinch was driven away and the spirit of Christmas prevailed. For one special guest who travelled a long way for the big reveal, it’s always impressive to see how much work goes into the display.

“I know the guy that does it, and I know the guy that knows the guy that does it,” Santa Claus says. “They put a lot of effort in, and it pays off.”

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“We start the end of September, the start of October,” Cassie McNutt explains. “We just finished. Today was the last few pieces put together. It definitely takes a lot of work, but it’s worth it in the end.”

This year, Cassie and her family hope to hit the $80,000 mark for monetary donations to the Kamloops Hospice Society. They’ve already taken in more than $50,000 in donations, and they’re offering a province-wide 50/50 draw to reach their final goal.

“For the 50/50, it goes up to $100,000,” McNutt says. “It goes all the way until December 20, so we’re just trying to get as many people as they can to participate. All the proceeds will go to the hospice and one lucky winner will win half of whatever we raise.”

Santa has plans to visit the display when his schedule allows him, mostly because the McNutt family has a special place on the “Nice” list.

“They’ve gone right to the end of the book, they’re good all the way, the amount of work and what they’ve done is amazing,” the jolly, old elf tells CFJC Today. “But they could not do it without the citizens of Kamloops and everyone helping.”

For Cassie, at the end of the day, it’s the smiles on the faces of the neighbourhood kids that make all that hard work worth the effort.

“This is my favourite part, for sure,” McNutt says. “Just turning on the lights and seeing all the kids and everyone being so happy. It just makes it so worth it.”

Cassie’s Charity Drive, located at 5215 Dallas Drive, will be lit up and accepting donations from now until the end of the month.