Gun owners across the Charlotte region are now turning in their guns in exchange for gift cards for New Life City of Praise’s 8th annual Guns For Gift Cards Drive.

Pastor John Kee first started the drive after witnessing all the gun violence in his neighborhood and deciding that something needed to be done. He says this year is especially important due to our recent spike in homicides across the city.

In describing the gun drive on the church’s website, the Pastor Kee notes that;

“30 Americans die of gun violence each day in our country! I discovered that, unfortunately, a lot of these deaths were taking place in our neighborhood. I began a Guns for Gift Cards Program in 2009. To date we’ve taken more guns off the street than the local Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department. Due to of the volume of guns we receive, it’s a challenge and a risk. But when we look back, it’s a risk worth taking! We truly believe our efforts are making a huge difference in our community! Instead of complaining about the problem we chose to DO something!”

The gun drive is being organized this weekend in partnership with CMPD. Gun owners names are kept confidential and will receive gift cards ranging from $25 to $50 for handguns and up to $100 for rifles.

Organizers will be collecting guns until noon Saturday.

It’s now the last weekend to see many of the Charlotte region’s most impressive Christmas light displays.

Most of the biggest displays are in the South East part of the Charlotte region, including Indian Trail and Matthews, but we have some other epic displays in Gaston County and up in Concord.

Here are the top 10 biggest Christmas light displays in the Charlotte region (in no particular order):

#1 Christian Family’s Home in Concord

The Christian Family lights have already been featured on Today.com, WCNC, and even on Charlotte Stories. The entire display is synchronized to over a dozen different songs.

The two-story home includes thousands of colorful twinkle lights which outline the windows, garage, trees and bushes all of which dance and pulse to perfectly timed music.

Check out their other videos on their Facebook page here.

#2 The Entire Town of Mcadenville

Each holiday season, the tiny little Gaston County town of McAdenville displays its Christmas best and hosts an incredible holiday light show. Drawing a region-wide audience, visitors tour the streets of Christmas Town, USA, by foot and car, which is guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit.

#3 Myer’s Park’s Hillside Avenue in Myers Park

Most homes on Hillside Ave. pitch in to help hang giant lighted balls from the majestic oak-trees that line the street, it’s truly a sight to see.

They also have tents set up where they are taking donations for Charlotte’s Loaves and Fishes.

#4 Harbin Family Christmas Lights

One of the biggest single-home displays (in terms of number of lights) would have to be at 10223 Summer House Court – the Harbin family house. Every year they go all out with a light-up nativity scene, giant Christmas tree, and pretty much every other inch of their front yard sparkling. They also accept donations for Make-A-Wish – don’t be stingy!

#5 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive, Charlotte

There are several big displays in this neighborhood, but every year, 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive takes the cake. They even have a live Santa outside giving cars candy canes.

They also are taking up collections for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

#6 Zimnowski Christmas Light Show

Another incredibly impressive light show that’s perfectly synced to music. You don’t want to miss the Zimnowski’s home at 15419 Hugh Mcauley Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (tune to 87.9 FM to see the lights sync with the music in your car)

#7 A Sweitzers Christmas

Don’t miss 1001 Sunnyview Circle in Matthews if you’re visiting all the other homes in the South East Charlotte region. (tune in to 107.3 FM to see the lights and music together)

#8 Nikitas’ Christmas Wonderland

The Nikitas’ home at 1417 Deer Spring Court in Indian Trail is back at it again this year.

They’ll be accepts donations for Hemby Children Hospital every night until Christmas.

#9 Garden Oak Lights

Over in Indian Trail, the lights at 4026 Garden Oak Dr., are continously synced to 94.5FM. They are taking donations and will give all proceeds to The National Foundation for Cancer Research.

#10 Fountainbrook Fallatts

Finishing up our list is another home in Indian Trail that also syncs their lights to music. Don’t miss 1028 Fountainbrook Dr. in Indian Trail. They are accepting donations for Union County Christmas Bureau.

Who do you think put up the best Christmas lights in Charlotte?