November 26, 2008 > Crippsmas Place Crippsmas Place Submitted By Laverne Metzger and David Richards In the late 1960s, in Fremont, Robert "Spider" Cantley began the December tradition of "Crippsmas Place" as a Leukemia Lymphoma Society fundraiser in memory of his mother, Nan. For almost 40 years, Cantley and his neighbors have lit up the surrounding streets with larger-than-life figures of cartoon and animated movie characters. In 2004, Cantley retired and moved to Twain Harte, California and a group of neighbors, led by Kate Amon, formed the "Crippsmas Club" to take over the event. In 2006, neighbors met and started a non-profit organization, adding five more charities including: Leukemia-Lymphoma Society Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation H.E.R.S. Breast Cancer Foundation Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE) Kidango Adopt an Angel Activities of the Crippsmas Club are focused on the preparation and operation of this annual December charity fundraising event. Each year, volunteers hand out candy canes and accept donations from thousands of visitors. Donations are now being collected on Wellington Place in Fremont. For more information please go to our website www.crippsmasplace.org.