Vacaville Kids Take Action: Rally Support to Save Christmas Light Display from Trash. VACAVILLE — up Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane in Vacaville, where neighbors put up an annual Christmas light show that attracts thousands of tourists each year, Santa’s young helpers are picking up rubbish.
When neighbors wake up the following morning to find a ton of litter left by some mischievous listers, the sweet streets leave them with a bad taste in their mouths.
Alcohol, candy wrappers, drinks on the floor—everything. There are a lot of things. And I was growing weary of it,” Aiden Raue, a neighbor who is ten years old, said.
Thus, Aiden and Adelaide, his younger sister, made the decision to do something kind.
“I feel really good that we cleaned up Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane,” Adelaide added.
Together with other committed neighbors who donate their time, the Raue family has been cleaning up the trash for years, one bursting bag full at a time.
“To the extent that our garbage can was full and theirs was overflowing. Thus, it’s felt more nicer this year,” Jessica stated.
To safeguard their small local North Pole, however, the children spent this summer brainstorming a more long-term solution.
What else could they do, Aiden asked his mother, Jessica?
“I’m proud of him for standing out for what he believes in. “All we want is to keep this open for future generations,” Jessica stated.
In order to distribute a truckload of additional “event” garbage cans throughout the celebratory blocks, the Raue family collaborated with Recology waste management. The cans were given away for free thanks to the Little Dress Project, a nearby nonprofit sponsor.
The newest decorations on the block are the bins, which are adorned with tinsel and notices encouraging guests to “Keep Candy Cane Lane Clean.”
The kids were afraid that if they didn’t help, the trash issues may ruin their entire Christmas custom.
The fact that so many people were saying, ‘Oh, they’re treating us badly, so why should we keep doing it?’ hurt me. And every year, I enjoy seeing this display. “I believe many others find it entertaining as well,” Aiden remarked.
The Raue family reports that the neighborhood streets are significantly cleaner this season as a result of the community banding together to outshine the rubbish Grinch in their neighborhood.
This year, we have hardly noticed any rubbish on the ground. “This year, I’ve seen maybe three cups instead of like 100 the year before,” Aiden remarked.
Tajuana Slaybaugh, a neighbor, says she has seen a difference since she installed roughly 8,000 lights on her front lawn every year.
“That embodies the spirit of Christmas.” “I think it’s so amazing what he did and how he went out so selflessly to help this community,” Slaybaugh added. “They cared so much, and for that I am so grateful. People say “thank you” when we turn off these lights, but they truly did demonstrate their appreciation.”
The show began in the 1990s and has expanded throughout the years. Approximately 1,000 people drive through on any given December weekend, along with those who serve food and beverages.
“I don’t mind the vendors and it does add to the Christmas cheer, but when you’re already combating such a serious problem with so much trash, we just can’t have more trash,” Slaybaugh said.
Visitors like Nicol Sanchez and Kamiko Febres, who drove up from Vallejo, can just enjoy the lights because the street is kept dazzling bright by the Christmas cleanup.
“It is very magical, in my opinion. “Coming out here is like a breath of fresh air; it truly brings the holiday spirit,” Sanchez added.
“I didn’t think anybody was in the Christmas spirit anymore, but this is so nice,” replied Febres.
A garbage-free Christmas is the gift that Candy Cane Lane’s small volunteers are giving this year.
Place it in the garbage can. “I don’t want to see everything on the ground,” Aiden remarked.
