By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Ozzy the Audi wants you to “park” some donations in the trunk.
Decorated with more than 2,500 twinkling lights, the Smurf blue car will be driving across Chatham-Kent to collect food and donations for the Salvation Army and other agencies.
Owner Brandon Taylor, who just purchased the 2010 AudiA4 last summer, said he got the idea for “Stuff the Trunk with Ozzy the Audi” after a discussion with his mom Michelle Medd. Medd told him she learned Wallaceburg’s Salvation Army was having a hard time meeting the needs of residents as it was running out of food.
Taylor was concerned and he hit on the idea of using the car as a travelling donation bin to help feed the needy at Christmas.
“I was trying to think of something to do to help and came up with this,” he said. “We’ll have the trunk open and people can throw stuff in.”
In addition to the 700 feet of lights held in place by painter’s tape, Ozzy features a rooftop Christmas tree, a wreath, as well as other festive trim.
Taylor, who is laid off from his seasonal job, said he has the time to give back and hopes to bring his oversized Christmas ornament to as many Santa Claus parades and events as possible. He said he’s aiming to keep donations within the communities where they are collected.
Taylor has set up an email for those who want to donate or to have Ozzy attend their event. If interested message ozzytheaudi@gmail.com.
