BRINGING bright Christmas cheer for the sixth consecutive year, Dianne Grassi will be lighting up her Beacon Bay home with all things festive from Friday until the end of December in an effort to bring joy to the elderly.
Her home at 3 Pinewood Road will be sparkling from rooftop to driveway and featuring more lights than ever before.
“When I was a kid, I loved to go and see houses decorated with Christmas lights. So I’m motivated to do it for the kids, and it helps charity, so it’s win-win,” said Grassi, who faithfully collects donations and sponsorship from the start of November to assist those in need. When asked about why she does it, she replied: “Because I can. I enjoy making a difference. I can’t help everyone, but I can certainly try. I’m also quite a competitive person, so it’s a challenge for me each year to beat the previous year’s takings.”
Last year, R50000 was raised, and Grassi hopes to collect even more this year to benefit 180 elderly people living at Langham House, DJ Sobey Old Age Home and Silver Crown Home.
After taking a squiz at the glittering lights, visitors are encouraged to enter the raffle or donate non- perishable grocery items to support the elderly.
The first prize for the raffle is a two-night stay for two at Crawfords Beach Lodge in Cintsa, second prize is a Jennefer Ann Gordon Grant painting valued at R2500, where the winner will be able to choose what she should paint. Other prizes include shopping vouchers, restaurant vouchers, hampers, hair styling vouchers, jewelry and much more. The winner will be drawn on December 28.
Visitors can bring along non-perishable items such as long-life milk, oats, mealie meal, Maltabella, tea, coffee, sugar, cooking oil or rice to be donated to the benefiting homes.
Grassi will use the funds raised to stock up Christmas hampers for the elderly and purchase blood pressure machines, nappies, hairdryers, shaving kits, kettles and groceries to donate to the old age homes.
Grassi is thankful for the support of many businesses and individuals who have faithfully sponsored prizes and money to assist the cause. Special thanks go to HiQ Amalinda, Vincent Family Pharmacy and Spargs SUPERSPAR for their ongoing generous support.
“The joy on the faces of the people at these homes is what brings me back each year. They get so excited when you take them just a little bit,” Grassi said.
Santa will visit the house on Saturdays from 7.30pm, so bring along your little ones for an extra treat.
For any queries, contact Dianne on 082-349-6925 or check out “Christmas Lights Charity Drive” on Facebook.
The dancing musical lights display, which was a big hit last year at 14 Kelvin Grove, will unfortunately not be back this year, since the home owners have moved.
Derick and Nevette Greyvenstein have assured us that they will be back at the same address for an even more impressive display next year.
