Christmas lights adorn Ken Gallant’s residence and yard like stars in The Milky Method. Glowing, shining, and vibrant, they bounce to traditional Christmas tunes, and battle for centre stage.
“We’re at about 80,000 lights and about 40 plus creatures and rising,” the St. Norbert – Seine River man mentioned. Consider it or not, that’s the scaled again model of his set-up in contrast to some years in the past.
“We had been at over 100,000 lights,” he mentioned. “We’ll see what the long run brings.”
Ken Gallant stands in entrance of his residence in Winnipeg.
Arsalan Saeed / International Information
Gallant began extravagantly dressing his residence on this vibrant Christmas glory about 15 years in the past. After three years, one other mild flickered on — this time, an concept even the Grinch couldn’t bitter at.
“I bear in mind someone asking me if, at the moment, if I used to be taking donations. On the time I wasn’t. In order that’s once I picked Make-A-Wish Canada for a charity to make use of for the lights,” he mentioned.
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He calls them “Ken’s Christmas Lights for Hope,” and, over 12 years, has raised almost $30,000 for Make-A-Want, which is a corporation serving to critically ailing children reside out their needs.
He retains a donation field on his driveway, but additionally has a QR code directing spectators to donate on-line.
The donation Field set in entrance of Ken Gallant’s residence in Winnipeg for Make-A-Want Canada.
Arsalan Saeed / International Information
Gallant mentioned Christmas donations have dwindled, however he’s nonetheless devoted to the trigger.
“No matter we make is greater than they’d earlier than we began. So, yeah, we do what we will,” he mentioned.
It’s onerous work preparing for the season.
“I might say altogether in all probability near 100 hours it takes me. I do perhaps an hour or two on daily basis for a number of months. So yeah, this yr in all probability price 200 hours to assemble them,” he mentioned.
However, Gallant nonetheless isn’t deterred — motivated by his love for his personal children.
“I’ve acquired two wholesome youngsters. However on the similar time, you by no means know. Something can occur. So, I feel if I can, to begin with, present my children that giving again is vital, and if we will elevate some cash to assist a sick youngster … it’s positively all price it.”
He mentioned his lights shine into the night time, very similar to Rudolph’s nostril, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights and to 12 a.m. on weekends.
“We’ll in all probability have them up until early January,” Gallant mentioned.
However Gallant reminds donations are acceptable at any time by Make-A-Want’s web site, and encourages everybody to provide again — even when it’s not a donation.
“Simply be sort, be beneficiant and, , give again in case you can … Even volunteering, or reaching out to a cherished one,” he mentioned. “We want extra folks to be considerate and good to everyone. (It) goes a good distance.”
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