Winter Lights: Troy Austin
It sure is dark out there. And during this season of long nights and short, short days, VFC staff have connected with Vermonters from a variety of backgrounds to explore how people share light—both literally and metaphorically—during the darkest time of the year.
“II wanted people to know that there’s still something to look forward to.
”
Every December for the last six years Troy Austin of Essex, Vermont has held “Troy’s Toy Drive” where he accepts donations of toys for kids in need. This year Troy added a new ripple to the event and its run up--he covered his car in twinkle lights. We reached out to Troy over Zoom to talk about his car, the toy drive and spreading joy during the season.
This year Troy’s—drive-thru—Toy Drive broke all his previous records: 370 cars dropped off 1,000 toys! Thank you, Troy, for talking with us, and thank you for filling the season with light and joy.
Troy’s decked out Nissan Rogue
This seasonal segment is part of the Vermont Folklife Center’s Listening in Place project, a program that fosters connections between Vermonters throughout the pandemic and beyond. Click below to learn more about Listening in Place and tell us how you are sharing light this season: