Resident shares love for Christmas with display
Howell woman encourages donations to Open Door food pantry
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - Under the bright stars lies a luminous city of inflatable Santa Claus dolls, wire-lit candy canes and reindeers that twinkle. This winter wonder fantasy land was created by Kimmee Masi in an attempt to resurrect the magic of Christmas and the joy of giving for all who pass her home at 408 Brickyard Road this Christmas season.

In addition to the decorations she has put up for people of all ages to enjoy, Masi will be donating money and canned goods to Freehold Borough's Open Door, a nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry. A box at the bottom of Masi's driveway is available for people who wish to contribute to Open Door.

Masi, 37, said Christmas has always been her favorite holiday. She chooses to make such a grand gesture because she said this is the only time of year when she gets to give something back.

Masi has put up a Christmas display for several years. She got started on her display in October and as of last week said she had put in 60 hours of work to get 45,000 twinkling lights and 200 candy canes, among other items, looking just right.

Masi, who lives on the nearly 2-acre property with Lisa Lasky, said, "I have all this property, why not decorate it? So many people have nothing and I am blessed with so much. Why not give a little Christmas cheer? I love Christmas and I do it for all the children who pass by, and the parents who look up and say 'thank you.' That's what fuels me, to make others happy."

Masi said she has invited Santa Claus to visit her home on Dec. 15-16 from 5-7 p.m. and on Dec. from 5-7 p.m. If the weather permits, Santa will be dressed in his red velvet suit and hand out candy canes to people passing by.

Masi said she hopes people think about the reason for the season, give as much as they can, and remember to be thankful for everything they have.

Jeanne Yaecker, the director of the Open Door food pantry, said, "Kimmee's donation will help the people we serve."

According to Yaecker, the food pantry currently serves 300 households each month, and relies entirely on donations to stock the pantry.

"Donations of any kind, large or small, make a significant impact on the way we do business," she said. "The food left over from Thanksgiving is rapidly depleting. By the end of the year, the shelves will be empty."

Masi and Lasky are accepting monetary donations and canned goods on behalf of Open Door. A drop box is at the end of their property at 408 Brickyard Road. The box is under video surveillance. The donations and the Christmas festivities will come to a close on Jan. 2.

Anyone who would like to make a donation directly to Open Door may contact Jeanne Yaecker at (732) 780-1089.