For many, the holiday season entails making cookies, watching Christmas movies and of course, putting up decorations. But for some, being able to participate in these holiday traditions is not so accessible. That is why Meagan Donovan started Project Sparkle, a way to bring those traditions to everyone.

Project Sparkle all started when a Facebook post about selling unwanted holiday decorations gained a lot of attention and feedback. Donovan had a variety of old decorations that she had bought in college and did not want to use in her home. Instead of throwing them out or selling them, she found a way to give them to those who needed them.

“A lot of people have Christmas stuff they don’t want,” said Donovan in the Argus Leader. “Project Sparkle turned out to be a nice thing that really doesn’t take anything more than time.”

2015 was the first holiday season that the project served families, and they served a total of 24 in the Sioux Falls area. As of now, Donovan does not know how many families will be served this year because it is all dependent on how many donations she receives from those in the community. Back in March of 2016, she already had enough donations that could be given to 10 families.

Donovan takes a variety of decorations for donations. Some of them include gently used artificial trees, ornaments, yard decorations, lights and anything else people might have shoved in a box in their basement.

The main reason behind Project Sparkle was not to hand the donations out like charity, but rather it was a way for Donovan to pass around traditions that families could share and remember for years to come.

“It’s the memories. I have so many memories with my family of decorating for Christmas,” said Donovan in the Argus Leader. “One of the triggers for, ‘Hey it’s holiday time,’ is the star on the tree or the stockings on the staircase railing. I don’t want someone to not be able to provide that for their kids.”

For anyone who wants to donate to Project Sparkle, the best way is to contact Donovan through the project’s Facebook page or through the app Setmore to set up a time to drop off donations. Bringing the donations in a box or tote is most appreciated.