Spectacular 'Christmas in Cumming' Light Show Underway

Local Christmas decorators, Larry Drum, Brian Todd and Chris Hoard have turned their passion for lights and the joy of Christmas into a major charity event for . Families are invited to experience this spectacular holiday light show this Christmas season, and at the same time have the opportunity to give back to the local community.

This is the sixth year for the show and once again it is bigger and better than last year with more than 250,000 lights “dancing” to the beat of 20 Christmas classics. The decorators hope the spirit of the season will directly help raise funding and awareness for Family Haven, which provides victims of domestic violence and their families a variety of services.

The light and music show kicks off nightly at 5:30 p.m. and runs every night through New Year’s Day. The show runs until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Visitors are asked to tune their radios in their cars to 88.1 FM to enjoy the music and spectacular light show. The display is located on Bryn Ridge Court in the Haley Farms subdivision in northwest Forsyth County.

Donations of cash and goods will be accepted every night to benefit Family Haven. Family Haven staff and volunteers were thrilled with the donations from last year’s show.

“Between January and June 2011, funding from the Christmas Light Show assisted us in providing nutritious meals to 92 women and children housed in our emergency shelter," said Tara Hall, Executive Director of Family Haven.

“Funding from Christmas in Cumming also helped offset our costs for childcare (81 days), transportation (200 vouchers), individual and group counseling (2,325 hours), legal advocacy (134 individuals) and household establishment (1 family). Further to this end was the donation of paper products and other non-perishables that lasted nearly six months…what a savings," she said.

The shelter is currently in need of the following items, and greatly appreciates the community’s assistance: 

• Toilet Paper
• Paper Towels
• Cleaning Supplies
• Trash Bags
• All Size Diapers
• Twin Sheet Sets
• Copy Paper
• Pasta Dinners
• Cereal
• Baby Wipes
• Laundry Detergent
• Swiffer Wet Jet Refills
• Twin Plastic  Mattress & Pillow Cover 

“Last year was such an awesome experience giving back to our community with over $11,000 in cash and items for Family Haven,” said Larry Drum who helps put on the show. “We look forward each year when it’s time to get the show going again.”

Additional information is available on the Christmas in Cumming Web site and on the  Facebook fan page.

About Family Haven

Family Haven’s mission is to provide victims of violence and their families with a continuous availability of services. They are tireless in their efforts to provide a 24-hour crisis hotline; a safe, temporary, emergency shelter; emergency food and clothing; counseling services; assistance in filing Temporary Protective Orders; support groups; and a prevention education program. They offer assistance to those seeking help in their greatest time of need. This non-profit organization serves people of all races, creeds, and religions. They do not discriminate. They merely support their fellow citizens, and serve as a guiding light.  Their goal is to see that victims of violence become survivors. For more information visit the Family Haven Web site.