LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Gary Irwin has been spreading holiday cheer in his Lakewood community for decades.
“I’m 69 and I started when I was eight, so a little over 60 years,” Irwin said.
Irwin has done Christmas displays in his yard no matter his home.
“I’ve got two items that my dad made when I was seven or eight years old upfront— a couple candles. And then part of the nativity scene I made when I was in junior high,” he said.
He likes to spread his Christmas cheer, shown and heard loud for all to hear.
“I do it for the kids. Kids of all ages," he said. "Last year I gave out over 1,400 candy canes. I dress up as Santa Claus.”
Much like Santa, Irwin gets letters.
“Here’s another neighbor that lives over here on Dover Street. Thanks so much for brightening up our neighborhood,” he read.
Sunday morning, he discovered his display was vandalized overnight by a Grinch.
“If I was saying what I was thinking, you couldn’t put it on TV. I was not happy," Irwin said. “Ruining Christmas for everybody."
The vandal broke some plywood animals and bent the big tree light pole. It won't take long to fix, but Irwin wants to find out who did it.
“Please don’t do it again," he said. "Just please think about what you’re doing."
Because ruining Santa's Christmas, even in 2020, lands you on the naughty list.