It’s the end of an era for Ken and Julie Berry and their many Christmas-loving fans in the lakecity.
After 27 years of working here, raising a family, and decorating their Country Club Boulevard home to the nines every Christmas, the couple is leaving Williams Lake to be closer to family in Kelowna.
As a result, the Berrys are hosting a Christmas-inspired garage sale this weekend to rival all garage sales -- with all proceeds going to the Child Development Centre.
“We want to keep spreading that Christmas spirit so we hope that people will come with the spirit of giving in mind,” Ken said of the thousands of Christmas lights and hockey team of penguins that will be up for sale by donation.
The couple has raised almost $25,000 for the local CDC through their Christmas display, which Ken started putting up every summer right up until Christmas Day.
“My goal was $25,000 so it is playing out as I’d hoped.”
Ken said he’s thankful to his neighbours and the greater community for the support and donations, and especially to his wife Julie, who he said “put up with vacuuming only in the mornings” due to overloaded circuits.
“She bought into it,” he said.
For her part, Julie said she’s going to miss the extravagant Christmas show her husband put on every year and of course the community.
“That last day here is going to be tough, but we’re ready for our next adventure.”
The Berry’s CDC Christmas Spirit garage sale gets underway on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.
Customers are welcome to make individual donations for whichever items they like, including larger tickets items which can be used as a tax deduction if cheques are made payable to the CDC.