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WEST JORDAN -- A Utah company is showing the family of a teenager killed in a car accident that the community cares.
Collin Worland, 13, was hit by a car on his way to school Nov. 2 and died from his injuries. With the holidays approaching, it's tough for his family to celebrate without him.
Each year, Senske Lawn chooses a family that deserve something extra during the holidays and puts up lights on their home. This year, they chose the Worlands.
"It definitely is the highlight of our year," said company manager Tom Perkes.
Company volunteers placed lights on the Worlands' home Thursday morning, and wrapped the trees with lights, as well. Perkes said the lights are intended to "(Give) them something to think about each day when they come home, to remind them of family, remind them of cheer, and that's what this time of year is. They still have Collin with them although he's not here."
The company began the program for families of soldiers deployed overseas. "It kind of morphed into, well, they're not the only people who need to have some Christmas pick- me-up," Perkes said.
Community members nominate families they think are deserving of the decorations. Senske then chooses one and hopes the effort makes a difference.
"It's a struggle," Perkes said. "Holidays are about family. When you're missing someone who's that important to you, your eldest child, it's a tough time."
"This is a good way for them to be picked up and lifted up right now," he added.
Collin's mother, Erin Worland, told KSL, "The outpouring of love has been so amazing from everybody that I don't know what we would do without it."
"I think about Collin constantly," she said. "It's not something that is harder at the holidays because we remember him at that time. It's something we constantly think about."
"We've got his Christmas stocking still up. All of our normal Christmas traditions we'll stick to. We kind of pretend that he's still part of our family and that he's still here," she added.
