Reported by Mark Jenkins
ORLANDO -- Neither the economy, nor Mother Nature could stop a local radio station from “saving Christmas” in downtown Orlando Saturday.
Hundreds of volunteers joined Real Radio 104.1’s The Buckethead Show at Lake Eola Saturday to help decorate for the holidays.
Though it rained off an all all morning, that didn’t slowed down the decorating.
The city announced in November that it was making some Christmas cutbacks in an effort to save about $250,000 by leaving nearly all of its holiday decorations in storage.
When that left many Central Floridians disappointed, the Buckethead Show stepped in to paint the town red and green.
The show asked listeners to donate Christmas lights, decorations and canned goods for Second Harvest Food Bank, and Saturday’s decorating turned out to be a great success.
“I wouldn’t even want to guess a number of cans for the Second Harvest Food Bank,” radio host Buckethead told News 13. “I’ve got a couple hundred in my car. So at the end of the day, not only will people be able to drive downtown Orlando and see Lake Eola all lit up, but also knowing that a lot of food went to people who need it this holiday season.”
In addition to all the canned goods, more than 350,000 lights were donated.
In addition to Lake Eola, the radio show said it is holding a contest for the best decorated downtown Orlando business.
The winning business will receive a plaque from the city and a $250 donation to a charity of their choice.
Volunteers said by the sun goes down Saturday night, Lake Eola should be transformed into a winter wonderland.
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