Christmas lights raises funds for Meals on Wheels

Chuck Rodgers and his fantastic Christmas light display are still going strong at 5980 79th Street.

"The display will be up until Epiphany, Friday, January 6th," Rodgers said. "Since that's a Friday we may get lucky and have a bonus day Saturday night," he hinted.

Rodgers's display and his Longmont Meal on Wheels (LMOW) http://www.lmow.org Christmas light display fundraiser has raised $16,891 and received 239 pounds of food so far. Rodgers is hoping to hit at least $18,000 this year.

"Some people and businesses will probably still bring me checks and the donation jars will still fill up," Rodgers said. The week after New Years starts to slow down as people look ahead and put the holiday season behind them. Last year Rodgers' fundraising efforts netted $19,025. The year before Covid-19 hit he raised a whopping $22,000.

The first year Rodgers started the fundraiser he collected $9,000 and took it to Meals on Wheels at the end of the season. Rodgers surprised the organization with the donation and the woman in charge said, "This year we were $10,000 short and now we're only $1,000 short? We'll take it!" These days Rodgers takes the money and food to LMOW several times during the season. Rodgers is often LMOW's biggest annual donor.

When asked how he started the tradition, Rodgers pointed to his father. "You know I never did ask my dad how he got started, and he passed before I thought to ask him," Rodgers said. His father was a longtime driver for LMOW. He drove for them until he got sick and when he was sick, he used the organization for meals at home. Rodgers' in-laws also used Meals on Wheels when they needed it.

LMOW delivers pre-cooked meals to anyone who is unable to shop for food or prepare food. The organization is housed in the Longmont Senior Center. "It's a relatively small, self-funded operation," Rodgers said. In addition to accepting cash and checks, donations may be made at http://www.givebutter.com/Niwotlights and QR codes are available on posters around Niwot. The website states, "Chuck Rodgers is raising money again with his spectacular drive-through light display at 5980 N. 79th Street in Longmont. Show your appreciation of his gorgeous endeavor by donating to Longmont Meals on Wheels. Help support your homebound older neighbors with a hot, ready-to-eat meal and a wellness check! Consider a donation to help Rodgers achieve his annual goal of $19,000 or more."

The lights begin each evening at sundown (around 5 p.m.) and stay on until 9:30 p.m. Look for the brilliant display at 5980 79th Street between Highway 52 and Lookout Road.