The generous folks who drove through Grayson County Holiday Lights at Loy Park left behind more than smiles and good cheer this year. The donations collected totaled nearly $100,000.

Grayson County Purchasing Agent Jeff Schneider said volunteers collected $90,127.55 throughout the season. Added to other donations to the project and the total donations for the season comes to $97,145.05.

The donations were collected by more than 40 volunteers who worked in groups big and small to spread holiday cheer while taking up the money that will serve as the life blood to bring the display to life again next year and pay the light bill for this season.

“That is a new record for the drive-thru with a total of $90,127.55,” Schneider said. He said last year the total for the donations taken up at the display was $87,123.28.

Schneider was quick to point out that the record, like all of the previous totals of donations received at the display, wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated group of volunteers who stand outside in the cold and sometimes wet or windy weather to greet visitors and take up the donations.

It also would be impossible to put on the display, he said, without the county staff who work hard throughout the season to keep the lights burning.