Caldwells ready to light up annual toy and food drive

By Lethbridge Herald on November 23, 2024.

The Caldwell family stands in front of a light display in preparation for their “Christmas with the Caldwells Food and Toy Drive Kick-off Party” set for Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 126 Red Crow Blvd. West. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Christmas with the Caldwells is back for their seventh annual toy and food drive, collecting toys for the Salvation Army Toys for Tots campaign and food for the Lethbridge Food Bank. 

Chandel and Vince Caldwell have been offering members of the community an opportunity to help those in need for the last seven years by creating an award-winning light display for everyone to enjoy, while also collecting food and toys for those in need. 

Their collection campaign kicks off today with their annual “Christmas with the Caldwells Toy and Food Drive kick-off party” from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 126 Red Crow Blvd. West, where those in attendance can enjoy a warm beverage and fun activities, including a carriage and sleigh ride from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

“We can’t wait to see the members of the community to stop by and help us kick off our toy and food drive, especially after Vince has spent almost 200 hours setting up the display for everyone to enjoy,” said Chandel. 

She said her husband is so focused on setting up the display that he has been out on the front yard for many hours after already working a full-time job and now that the temperatures have been dropping at night he has almost experienced frost bite a few times. 

“We store most of the display stuff in Coaldale at one of our family member’s home, so not only has he spent so much time and effort putting the display together, he has also made multiple trips to Coaldale and back just to bring everything back for it,” said Chandel. 

She said after seven years it continues to warm her heart how much effort her husband puts into the display and how much it has paid off to benefit those in need within the community they are a part of. 

With watery eyes and a shaky voice, Vince recalled a special moment he had with someone who had stopped by last year to see their house’s display. 

“One person said to me they were having a really hard time and they drove by our house every day and it just made their day,” said Vince. 

He said that moments like that and the response of the community with their donations is what continues to inspire him to create the displays. 

Last year the Caldwells were able to donate approximately 400 toys to the Salvation Army and 3,500 pounds of food to the Lethbridge Food Bank. 

“Our goal was 3,000 pounds but we surpassed it, so our goal this year is 3,500 pounds and I am hoping we can actually get 4,000,” said Vince. 

The Caldwells said they continue to be in awe by the amount of support they have received from the community, as their total numbers to date show over $75,000 worth of donations between food and toys, especially in the last couple of years which included helping the victims of a terrible fire in their neighbourhood on Boxing Day last year. 

“That was almost like a full-time job for two weeks after the fire. People just kept stopping by with donations, it was unbelievable. This community really comes together when its needed,” said Chandel. 

Last year the Caldwell’s light display not only caught local attention but also provincial attention and recognition. 

“It was the Community Choice award for the Direct Energy Holiday Lights contest Alberta wide,” said Chandel. 

Vince said that since winning that award he has decided to add even more lights this year, with a goal to reach 100,000 lights, which will be officially turned on tonight and will be on every day from 4:30 to 11 p.m. until Jan. 7. 

“This year we will be collecting food and toys until the last day. Usually we stop just before Christmas to be able to deliver the food and toys on time, but this year we are going to continue after our pre-Christmas delivery,” said Chandel.