Local couple creates Christmas decorations with Hurricane Michael debris

[admin]

 

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - During the holidays, normally you see Christmas lights and other displays adorning homes, but one local couple has a different idea of what can be used to decorate a home or yard this time of year.

"I would have a big huge tree and decorated the mantle, it would be decorated with lights and garland," said Panama City resident Crystal Yorkuvic.

Normally during the holiday season, Yorkuvic would decorate a Christmas tree in her living room, but Hurricane Michael had other plans. Her home was damaged by the storm.

"A lot of water damage," said Yorkuvic. "We ended up getting all that mold from it sitting for so long, so now our whole entire house is now gutted."

Yorkuvic and her boyfriend Michael Overend are now recovering their home, but they still wanted to get into the holiday spirit.

"We saw our debris down in our yards, why let it sit there and collect dust?" said Yorkuvic. "Why not make something fun with it? So we made a Christmas village."

"We saw a design for one snowman which led into multiple snowmen which led into a couple of trees," said Overend. "We celebrate Hanukkah so I made a menorah."

The couple said working on the decorations helped take their mind off of repairing their home and allowed them to enjoy the holiday season. They're hoping the display will do the same for others.

"We want people to drive by and see we're making the best of what we can," said Yorkuvic. "It's about being positive and about being happy this holiday season."

The couple said they plan on creating displays with the storm debris for other holidays beginning next year. The couple also said if anyone would like one of their decorations they'll exchange a snowman for an unwrapped toy. All the toys collected will go to the "Stuff The Bus" toy drive.