Sibley, Iowa – This holiday season, three-year-old Margarett Travaille will be at the heart of two magical celebrations.
Next week, she’ll serve as “switch master” at Christmas at the Castle in Sioux Falls, turning on the lights for Sanford Children’s Hospital’s annual celebration. But before that, her hometown gave her a surprise she’ll never forget.
Margarett, who has been receiving hospice care at home after a long fight with stage 4 hepatoblastoma liver cancer, returned with her family Monday to find their yard transformed into a winter wonderland.
What started as a small request for help quickly grew into something extraordinary. A local chiropractor asked for a few volunteers and maybe one or two bucket trucks from Northwest Iowa Community College. Instead, five trucks showed up. Crews decorated three trees, set up 19 inflatables, arranged nativity scenes, and laid out hundreds of feet of extension cords.
Jeremiah Postma, founder of lighting company Get Lit in Sioux Falls, also donated time and supplies, installing lights on the house and barn that can change colors to whatever Margarett wants.
When the Travaille family pulled into their driveway, the volunteers were gone, leaving behind only the glowing decorations. It was a complete surprise for Margarett.
“There were lots of tears that day,” said Abby Kohlhaas, who helped organize the effort. “It was a special thing to do for that family.”
What began as a simple idea became a reminder of how a community can come together to make one little girl’s world brighter.
KIWA Staff Photo
