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Youngsville neighborhood celebrates Christmas early for boy with cancer

Posted at 10:21 PM, Oct 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-05 23:30:23-04

For many kids, Christmas is their favorite holiday, from seeing the streets lit up to the gifts under the tree, and for one boy in Youngsville, it’s no different.

Thirteen-year-old Lane Begnaud has a life-threatening illness that could prevent him from celebrating his favorite holiday this year, but the community is making sure it won’t stop the holiday cheer.

“We were very touched by the story of Lane and what his family was going through, so we just wanted to make him smile,” said Candice Kretzer, who lives near Lane’s subdivision.

Last year, Lane was diagnosed with bone cancer.

When neighbors heard of his recent condition, they decided to start preparing for Christmas a little early.

It started in the Begnaud family’s own Youngsville subdivision, and after a neighbor’s Facebook post went around, it grew to other neighborhoods in the area. Now, even strangers are showing their support.

“When things like this happen, and you wonder, ‘What can I do?’ And a lot of times you think, ‘Well, there’s nothing I can do.’ So, this opportunity for us to take a couple of hours to do something for them is [why we decorated our homes, too],” said Chara Richterberg, who also lives nearby.

Lane’s neighbors are making sure his illness won’t stop him from taking part in his favorite Christmas tradition, driving around with his family to see all of the decorations.

“It’s the least we could do,” said Richterberg. “If we can help raise awareness for his GoFundMe, because we can’t even imagine what his family is going through, so if we can do one little small act to bring a smile to Lane’s face or to raise awareness for his GoFundMe, then all the effort and putting up Christmas decorations is more than worth it.”

If you would like to donate to help the Begnaud family with medical expenses, click here.