AREA TEEN DONATES THOUSANDS TO SPCA

Gavin Snyder raised $3,000 from annual Christmas light display

WEST GOSHEN >> The numbers keeps rising. $500, $1,200 now Gavin Snyder, a Rustin High School freshman has raised $3,000 for the Brandywine Valley SPCA from his annual Christmas light display at his families home on Concord road.

Friday afternoon, Snyder brought a check, as well as two cars full of bedding and supplies to present to officials at BVSPCA.

“It was very successful, my goal was $2,000 and I achieved that by over $1,000,” said Gavin as he presented the check to officials at BVSPCA.

“It’s some pretty amazing work by Gavin,” said Linda Torelli, BVSPCA spokesperson. “Not only is Gavin a young man with a big heart, his creativity and motivation to make a difference are really inspiring. We’re amazed that he and all of the kind folks who supported his initiative raised so much in funding and supplies for our animals. We’re so grateful; we couldn’t do this hard work we do without support like this from the community.”

In 2017, Snyder began decorating his families yard with Christmas lights and 14 inflatable decorations, asking visitors to donate to the BVSPCA. That year he raised $500 from the display which ran from Thanksgiving to early January.

As the display has become larger Snyder added opportunities for visitors to meet Santa at the display during holiday weekends and he offers hot chocolate to visitors which he credits as one of the most successful

aspects of the display. He estimated that nearly 1,000 visitors stopped to see the display which featured 4,000 lights, 25 inflatables, and a walk thru pathway that takes you to a spot with a bench for pictures with Santa and the elves.

“He has done such a great job and is self motivated,” said his mother Heather Herb. “He’s definitely got a passion for it.”

Snyder’s grandfather, Don Herb helps with technical assistance for the display and credits his grandson with the planning and execution, adding that Gavin had plans for the display a month in

advance and a diagram showing where everything should go.

“He put a lot of thought into this,” Herb said. “From the time he’s been about 4, he’s been doing Christmas displays.”

“People ask me, about all the work to do this. It is a lot of work but, in the end it is all worth it and it goes to a good cause,” Snyder said. “I really enjoy it and it’s a great distraction if I’ve have problems I work on this and it cheers me up.”

Snyder said he is working on plans for the 2020 Christmas season and has a already purchased displays at post holiday sales.

PHOTOS BY PETE BANNAN — MEDIANEWS GROUP Gavin Snyder presents a $3,000check to Mandie Rodriguez, community engagement coordinator at the Brandywine Valley SPCA, on Friday. This is the third year Snyder has raised money for the SPCA bringing in a total of $4,700 and numerous material supplies.

Gavin Snyder with some of the material donations from his Christmas light display.

PETE BANNAN - MEDIANEWS GROUP Gavin Snyder in front of part of his Christmas Holiday display.