A Kamloops teen is once again lighting up her home on Dallas Drive to raise money for the Hospice Association in the city.

It’s the fifth annual charity drive, organized by Cassie McNutt, who says the fundraiser gets bigger every year, with this year being the biggest yet.

She says new this year is the launch of a province-wide 50/50.

“Last year, we did our silent auction and it was really great and had a great outcome, but the only thing we noticed was a lot of people wanted to donate and contribute who weren’t from Kamloops,” she said.

“So we thought of doing a province-wide 50/50 instead so everyone in BC can join; we are licensed for $100,000, so some lucky winner in BC could win up to $50,000.”

Speaking on NL Mornings, McNutt reveals that all proceeds will support the Kamloops Hospice Bed Campaign.

“They’re getting these things called cuddle beds, which are bigger beds that allow family members to come and lay with their loved ones, their child or their spouse or their grandparent and just be close to them during those times; it’s really an amazing thing.”

McNutt says as of 7 a.m. on November 17, they have collected over $53,000 in donations and $3,000 from the 50/50 for this year alone. 

She says this, noting that as of last year, they raised over $130,000 for the Kamloops Hospice.

“Every single year, we have just had an amazing outcome that shocked us from the year before. Even just looking back in 2019 when we started this, we grabbed a few bags of clothes for the homeless and a few thousand dollars and we were shocked by that… It just keeps getting bigger and bigger and I think it will be a great outcome this year.”

The McNutt family home at 5215 Dallas Drive will be lit up with Christmas lights on December 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Cassie McNutt says they have over 50,000 lights on the house this year.

“We’ve also constructed a few things like on our own, my parents and I made a life-size Santa’s sleigh so we’re going to have that out in the front for people to take pictures on,” said McNutt.

“Then, on December 2 at 6:30 at my house, we’re having a lineup event and Santa will be there for the kids so everyone can come by and take pictures in the sleigh.”

Cash donations will be accepted until December 31, while wishlist donations can be dropped off from now through December 20 at 5215 Dallas Drive.

Tickets for the 50/50 can be purchased online till December 20, with the draw taking place on December 21.