4 • The Beacon December 5 , 2024
Christmas light show brings holiday joy for families
By Josie Sellers For The Beacon
This weekend ’ s Christmas
Magic in Lights will benefit two causes with the goal of spreading holiday cheer to children .
Christmas Magic in Lights will be held Saturday , Dec . 7 from 6-10 p . m . at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds . Displays are put up by individuals , groups , businesses and more . Admission is by donation , and that will be split between the Miracle on Wheels Christmas Bicycle Giveaway and the Coshocton County Firefighters Toy Chest .
There are currently 32 registered to take part in Christmas Magic in Lights .
“ We are grateful for the support that our community has shown ,” said D Woodward Wells , who helps organize the event . “ We are honored to continue and look forward to seeing everyone this year . The two groups that were chosen this year , we felt they have a huge impact on the community , and we wanted to support them .”
This is the sixth year for the bicycle giveaway but the second that ’ s being run by Kyra Mc- Whorter and her family . They received their nonprofit status this year , and their goal is to collect 200 bicycles . So far they have 141 signed up , which equals out to 39 families . They cannot promise a color or style of bike .
Their biggest need is 20-inch boys bikes . Anyone interested in assisting the group can send monetary donations to Woodforest Bank , 23605 Airport Road , Coshocton . Bike donations can be left at Chase Bank , 120 S . Fourth St ., Coshocton .
Sign-ups for a bike this year were already held , and next year ’ s will be Nov . 1 , 2025 . Distribution for 2024 is planned for Saturday , Dec . 21 . However , they are still in need of a space for that .
“ We are looking for anyone who would be willing to donate a space to us to store bikes , have the bike sign-ups and a drop spot from Nov . 1 to Dec . 25 each year ,” Kyra ’ s mother Amanda Bender said .
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Donations from Christmas Magic in Lights mean a lot to us . It helps us purchase 90 % of the toys needed for the children .”
Laura Drake ,
Coshocton County Firefighters Toy Chest
While they still have a lot to do for this year , they are thankful for those who have already helped .
“ We would like to thank the Gore family for hosting a bourbon tasting fundraiser in August , Burger King for hosting a benefit bash in April and Christmas Magic in Lights for your coming donation ,” Bender said .
The organization also is assisting a few families who have reached out to them for extra help .
“ There is one mom who reached out to us that we ’ ve been in her shoes ,” Bender said . “ She has an autistic child and one who is not autistic and has no support from family . It touched our hearts because we have lived her life .”
The families they are doing a little more for could use blankets , size 5 boys diapers , size 4 girls diapers , wipes , sensory toys , LEGOs , Hot Wheels , Power Rangers , Transformers , and craft or baking items for girls . Donations of these items can be left at Silva Linings Cheesecakery , 436 Main St ., Coshocton . Anyone interested in making an Amazon order for the families can send them to Kyra McWhorter , 27296 Township Road 47 , Coshocton , OH 43812 .
“ I hope we are able to get everybody bikes and get stuff for the other people who are in need of help ,” McWhorter said . “ Growing up , we never really had a lot . I know how it feels not to get much for Christmas , and I don ’ t want others to feel that way .”
Both she and her mother encourage people to come to Christmas Magic in Lights so they and the Coshocton County Firefighters Toy Chest can help make Christmas happen for others .
“ Coshocton County Miracle on Wheels along with several other families and businesses will have a display set up ,” Bender said . “ Don ’ t miss out on a nice family night by driving through the fairgrounds to see Christmas displays .”
Laura Drake from the Coshocton County Firefighters Toy Chest said they are serving 150 families this year , and that includes more than 400 kids . They serve children newborn to age 15 .
Toy requests for 2024 are art supplies , Barbies , Bluey , board games , cars and trucks , cologne , dinosaurs , fidgets , hair care , LEGOs , LOL , makeup , Minecraft , Mini Brands , model cars , Monster High dolls , Nerf , Paw Patrol , Play-Doh , Pokemon , remote control cars and trucks , sensory toys , Squishmallows , Stitch , Super Kitties , Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , and WWE figures . Toys are needed by Sunday , Dec . 15 . Drop-off locations are the Coshocton and Walhonding Valley fire stations .
“ Donations from Christmas Magic in Lights mean a lot to us ,” Drake said . “ It helps us purchase 90 % of the toys needed for the children .”
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This is the sixth year for the bicycle giveaway but the second that ’ s being run by Kyra McWhorter and her family .
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The Coshocton County Firefighters Toy Chest is serving 150 families this year , and that includes more than 400 kids . They serve children newborn to age 15 .
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Christmas Magic in Lights will be held Saturday , Dec . 7 from 6-10 p . m . at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds .