♪ KAYLA: IT’S A ROLLING CHRISTMAS PARTY IN BEAVERDALE SATURDAY NIGHT. A PARTY ONLY PAUSING OUTSIDE OF A CERTAIN HOUSE ON ASHBY AVENUE, WHERE JULIE MARKS AND HER FRIENDS ARE JOYFULLY WAITING. >> WANT A CANDYCANE? KAYLA: WITH TREATS IN HAND AND SMILING FACES, THE GROUP SHARES THEIR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH EVERY CAR, BICYCLE, OR DOG THAT COMES BY. AND WHAT’S RETURNED THEIR WAY, ARE SMILES, ALONG WITH DONATIONS OF MONEY OR FO.OD BECAUSE THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT AT THE MARKS’ WELL DECORATED HOME IS ALL ABOUT GIVING, SPECIFICALLY TO THE FOOD BANK OF IOWA. >> I BELIEVE IN LOVING ON LEOPPE AND I’VE BEEN WITHT.OU KAYLA: THIS IS THE MARKS FAMILY’S SECOND YEAR DOING TH,IS RAISING MORE THAN 7500 DOLLARS AND COLLECTING 1500 POUNDS OF FOOD IN 2020. >>E’ ’ EREXCITED TO SEE WHAT THIS YEAR BRINGS. KAYLA:HI TS ARYE ALREADY LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR DALE MARKS, JULIE’S HUSBAND, WHO ISN’’ STANDING BY HIS WIFE’S SIDE, DOING WHAT HE LOVES, DUE TO HIS HEALTH. >> 28 DAYS, LAYING IN ETH HOSPITAL. I KNEW IF I GOT OUT THAT I HAD TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO DO IT. KAYL DA:ALBAE TTLED FROM COVID THIS YEAR, LEADING TWO STROKES AND A ARHET TAATCK. DESPITE THAT, DALE SAYS HE’S BLESSED. VOLUNTEERS PUT UP EVERY CANDY CANESP, ARINKLG LIGHT, AND DECORATIONS STANDING TALL ACROSS HIS YARD. >> I’M SO THRILLED THIS TRADITION GO TO GO ON. >> I ’T’S JUST IMPORTANT IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT EXTRA OR EVEN IF IT’S JUST A CAN, IT’S SUPER IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THAT TO SOMEBODY EE.LS KAYLA: THAT’S THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT DALE AND JULIE MARKS HTOE OP CONVEY, AND INSTILL IN OTHERS. >> IF YOU HAVE ONE LAST BREATH, YOU CAN DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEE.ON KAYLA: THE MARKS WILL BE TANGKI IN DONATIONS SEVERAL DAYS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH. YOU CAN CATCH JULIE AND HER FRIENDS OUT ON ASHBY DRIVE FROM 6 TO 9 IN THE EVENING, ON
Beaverdale couple’s holiday lights to help feed hungry Iowans
Ashby Avenue in Beaverdale is known for its well-decorated homes during the holiday season. People venture out on nights to take a peek at what all of the houses have to offer. At one home, in particular, people do more than look at the lights. They also donate to the Food Bank of Iowa. “I believe in loving on people and I’ve been without,” said Julie Marks, whose home on Ashby Avenue has acted as a donation drop-off for the last two years. Julie and her husband Dale started accepting donations last year. They raised more than $7,500 and collected 1,500 pounds of food. People drive, bike, or walk by the neighborhood. When they get to the house, many drop off food or money. Those who don’t have either on them usually Venmo donations to the Food Bank of Iowa. This holiday season looks a little different than last year, however, especially for Dale Marks. Last year Dale stood by his wife’s side, greeting people, handing out candy canes, and sharing the holiday spirit. This year, he has to stay inside due to his health after battling COVID-19 and dealing with complications.Despite that, Dale says he’s blessed. Volunteers put up every candy cane, sparking light, and decorations that stand tall across his yard. “Twenty-eight days laying in the hospital. I knew if I got out that I had to figure out a way to do it,” said Dale Marks. “I’m so thrilled this tradition got to go on.” Part of why it lives on is due to the people helping Julie outside: the couple’s friends who say they wouldn’t miss this for the world. “It’s just important if you have a little bit extra or even if it’s just a can, it’s super important to be able to give that to somebody else,” said Tayler Wineski, a family friend of the Marks couple. It’s that holiday spirit Dale and Julie Marks hope to convey and instill in others.”If you have one last breath, you can do something for someone,” said Dale Marks. People are welcome to come through the “Christmas Light Tour Food Drive” on the following dates: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 15, Dec. 18 and on Christmas Eve from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ashby Avenue in Beaverdale is known for its well-decorated homes during the holiday season. People venture out on nights to take a peek at what all of the houses have to offer.
At one home, in particular, people do more than look at the lights. They also donate to the Food Bank of Iowa.
“I believe in loving on people and I’ve been without,” said Julie Marks, whose home on Ashby Avenue has acted as a donation drop-off for the last two years.
Julie and her husband Dale started accepting donations last year. They raised more than $7,500 and collected 1,500 pounds of food.
People drive, bike, or walk by the neighborhood. When they get to the house, many drop off food or money. Those who don’t have either on them usually Venmo donations to the Food Bank of Iowa.
This holiday season looks a little different than last year, however, especially for Dale Marks.
Last year Dale stood by his wife’s side, greeting people, handing out candy canes, and sharing the holiday spirit. This year, he has to stay inside due to his health after battling COVID-19 and dealing with complications.
Despite that, Dale says he’s blessed. Volunteers put up every candy cane, sparking light, and decorations that stand tall across his yard.
“Twenty-eight days laying in the hospital. I knew if I got out that I had to figure out a way to do it,” said Dale Marks. “I’m so thrilled this tradition got to go on.”
Part of why it lives on is due to the people helping Julie outside: the couple’s friends who say they wouldn’t miss this for the world.
“It’s just important if you have a little bit extra or even if it’s just a can, it’s super important to be able to give that to somebody else,” said Tayler Wineski, a family friend of the Marks couple.
It’s that holiday spirit Dale and Julie Marks hope to convey and instill in others.
“If you have one last breath, you can do something for someone,” said Dale Marks.
People are welcome to come through the “Christmas Light Tour Food Drive” on the following dates: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 15, Dec. 18 and on Christmas Eve from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
