The Allison Christmas Spectacular collects 2,000 pounds of food and necessities

For 16 years now, the Allison family of Havana has dazzled the community with the Allison Christmas Spectacular, a show of lights and music that has grown in size and spectacle over the years.

For the past three years, the family–Kevin, Gloria, and their son Daniel–has also teamed up with a growing list of local charities to collect and distribute food, clothing, and household items to people in need.

The charities include Lemondrop Farm Sanctuary, Community Cares Outreach, Life of Christ Church in Woodville, CESC Kearney Center, City of Tallahassee Animal Service Center, Refuge House, Florida State University Food for Thought Food Pantry, Christ Town Ministries, Lighthouse Children’s Home, and Good Samaritan Network.

Located on Sandy Creek Road in Havana, the Christmas Spectacular features a stunning array of programmed lights decorating several homes in the neighborhood.

Two of these homes participating in the show this year had wheelbarrows and donation boxes placed at the entrance to their driveways, where donations could be dropped off.

Daniel Allison recalled that the idea to incorporate a food and necessities drive into the show came from a friend who saw a similar setup at a different light show.

“We loved the idea,” Daniel said. “Having that tangible impact on our local area where people, especially now, really need that stuff, and it went off like crazy. It’s been doing really well since. Each year we’ve had 1700 pounds donated. This year we’ve had almost 2,000 pounds. It’s amazing what people want to give.”

Daniel also confirmed that there has definitely been an increase in the amount of food donated this year.

“It’s been a lot more up front,” said Daniel. “Like from the beginning of the season. Usually it takes some time to get going, but I think now, with the press covering the food drive and making people aware of it, what to bring and where to drop it off, how to help, people want to do that.”

“Sometimes the wheelbarrows get full during the day, before the show even start,” Kevin Allison added. “It’s amazing how generous people are.”

The Havana Herald also spoke with Kay Scherdin, of Community Cares Outreach, to get an idea of the impact such a drive can have, and also to see where the donations go.

Community Cares Outreach, a local nonprofit organization, has been helping those in need in Havana since 1995, and their thrift shop is located at 118 Southwest 3rd Street, in Havana.

The Allisons recently delivered 451 pounds of food and other items to this location.

“Canned goods have been our biggest expense,” explained Scherdin. “Through Second Harvest of the Big Bend and Farm Share we get frozen meat, we have a lot of fresh vegetables, but we’re having to purchase our canned goods, so this definitely helps, we really appreciate them.”

Clients can come in once a month to collect a full load of groceries and a voucher to purchase clothes.

Also, they can come any other Wednesday or Saturday if they have a need for fresh vegetables or dairy products.

Since their humble beginnings in 1995, Community Cares has greatly expanded their community network.

“Originally, we started with Tallavana Community Church, but we’ve expanded. We’re supported by all the churches in the area, and other entities as well, like the Allisons and Lemondrop Farm Sanctuary. We’ve done things with Havana Main Street several times throughout the year, and they’ve donated to us. We’ve got a lot of support, but we can always use more. We are just grateful to the whole community, and the more we’re giving, the more God just brings it back.”

Scherdin also explained that, while they are based here in Havana, people come from all over Gadsden County for assistance, and the organization is working to set up a delivery service.

Stephen Klein - Gadsden County News Service

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The Allison Christmas Spectacular collects 2,000 pounds of food and necessities

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Simmons leaves FAMU for Duke

Gadsden County Republicans file lawsuit against the county – The suit challenges the validity of the current county commission and school district maps drawn in 2003

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