The holiday lights are for fun - the food collection is serious

KEMPSVILLE

Bonnie and Jim Anderson's Christmas lights display brings thousands of people down their street in Brigadoon each holiday season.

The couple and their four sons hope many people will donate canned goods and nonperishable food items when they come to see the exhibit this year.

The Andersons have adorned the lawn and front of their house at 5404 Brockie St. since moving in nine years ago. Before that, they decorated their home in Aragona.

Each year the spectacle, which has several neighbors participating - including Ricky and Joy Markle at the "Joy House" - grows larger, and new items are added.

Arches line the sidewalk in front of their house, penguins and seals dance on the front lawn, snowmen twinkle and shine, Santa and his reindeer assemble, angels harken and a large nativity scene reminds onlookers of the reason for the season.

"We try to put everything out," said Bonnie Anderson, who starts retrieving the items from a warehouse storage facility and decorating the weekend after Halloween. "From Thanksgiving on, we're out here every day up until an hour before Christmas Eve."

While the Andersons love that people flock to see the lights, it occurred to them they could incorporate an opportunity to help others.

Their friend Roy Swingler built a three-car wooden train about 15 feet long that is now part of the display. The middle yellow car - appropriately named the Food Bank Express - is a drop-off site for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

The Andersons have empty boxes at the ready to store the anticipated loads.

"We have one box full from one day last week already," said Bonnie Anderson.

"This community does some amazing things for us, and this food drive is an example of the creativity and passion behind finding ways to help our neighbors in need," said Danielle Ayers, grants and communications manager for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

"We simply could not feed those in our region who need our help without individuals and families like the Andersons. People like the Andersons make it possible for us to continue operating in such a tough economic situation. Every single can helps."

Hayden, 11, 9-year-old twins Seth and Jarrod, and Jack Ryan, 4, are always excited about setting up the display and the people lining their street to see it.

"The boys help do the arches and check the lights," said Bonnie Anderson, "and they can't wait to get on the roof."

This year the boys are even more excited to help others. They hand-delivered flyers door to door to spread the word about the food drive.

"It feels good to help people out," Hayden said.

"Some people don't got food," said Jack Ryan, "and it feels good because I like to have food."

"We don't want anyone to go hungry," Jarrod said.

"That's the way people can pay us back - help others out by donating food," Bonnie Anderson said. "We want to pass it along because there are so many people out there who don't have what they need."

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net