TUSCARAWAS, OHIO For 50 years, man has brought light into kids' lives

Aside from the light displays, the man buys gifts for kids who are disabled.
TUSCARAWAS, Ohio (AP) -- Ben Shanklin has been lighting up Christmas and the lives of children with disabilities for 50 years.
Over the past five decades, Shanklin's brilliant light display at his home has benefited hundreds of children. People were so taken by all the lights that they would offer him money to offset his electricity bills. Instead, he decided to help children who are disabled, he said.
He has bought tricycles, bikes, wheelchairs and other items for the children.
"It's always been a challenge to me to take a girl or boy and help them walk or talk," he said. "I just love children.
"I would go to schools and try to find something that would help them walk or talk."
Getting ready
It takes Shanklin about two months to get the lights up with the help of his daughter and son-in-law, Don and Connie Klein, and granddaughters Debbie and Sarah.
Dianne Mohn, 48, who lives on the same street, said the town about 60 miles northeast of Columbus looks forward to the lights every year.
"His main purpose is to help other people, and that's what Christmas is supposed to be all about," she said. "He has a huge heart. He's out there every day checking on his lights and his displays."
Shanklin, 73, can't believe so much time has passed.
"I didn't realize it until two months ago," he said. "I thought 'Holy cripe! It's 50 years already."'
Shanklin, who is retired from the flooring business, does not support any certain charity or organization. He finds children he knows who are in need and buys for them throughout the year.
Living his dream
He delivers the items and almost always spends time with the children. His work for children is the realization of a lifelong dream to be Santa.
He remembers a man who used to walk up and down the streets handing out treats to the whole neighborhood. The man was hit by a car and was killed.
"I cried and cried because 'Santa Claus' got killed," he said.
Shanklin was injured when playing Santa by the roadway in front of his house. He was struck by a car in 1992 and spent seven months in the hospital. He was in a coma part of that time.
He and his wife, Betty, who died several years ago, also used to feed families at Christmas. Since her death, he isn't able to continue that.
But the Christmas lights continue.
Shanklin said the manger scene in front of his house is his favorite.
His neighbor lets him put the rest of the display in his yard, but each piece is wired to Shanklin's house so he's the only one who has to pay the electricity bill, which never exceeds $300, he said. Shanklin has 40 fuse boxes up against the house to make it all happen.