Space aliens are coming to Clayton, warns Keith Faina. With his family, Keith is bringing the aliens along with Woody, Buzz and the villainous Zurg from the movie “Toy Story” to the front yard of their Jeffry Ranch Ct. home beginning Dec. 6 For what Keith’s wife Sue estimates is the 10th year in a row, they are going over the top in decorating the front yard of their home for the Christmas season. Sue saw homes lit up for the holidays when she was a child and dreamt of having a similar display. “I used to tell my parents that I wanted a house that I can decorate that way,” she said.

What started for the Fainas as a single plywood toy soldier and some Christmas lights in the front yard has become a major annual event for the entire family. Keith estimates they will have 25 plywood cutout characters, spotlights and 25 strings of twinkling holiday lights strung around the front yard.

The Fainas’ adult son, Chris, draws the plywood figures. Keith cuts out the shapes, and the entire family applies the four to five coats of paint each figure requires. “Everybody pitches in and does a little bit,” said Keith. “We all share in the load, each using our different talents.”

This year, the decorations are about more than winning neighborhood holiday lights contests, exploring the fabulous colors of paints available at Michaels craft store or learning how to change a fuse. The family is focused on bringing the joys of the holiday season to the community that has been so giving to their own family in times of need.

In November 2003, Keith suffered a massive heart attack. Although he had no insurance coverage to pay for hospitalization and treatment, the community came through for him.

Sue recalled hearing activity outside their front door one day. She opened the door to find that an anonymous donor had left eight bags of groceries. “I just burst into tears,” she said.

In February 2006, younger son Danny was assaulted. Again the community stepped forward. Friends and acquaintances brought meals. Teachers stopped by, and a friend opened an account with a local bank so people could deposit donations to help cover medical bills.

This year, the Fainas are requesting that the many visitors who drive through their neighborhood to see their holiday lights make a brief stop and drop off new, unwrapped toys. A large Santa bag and a sign in the front yard will direct donors. The toys will be donated to the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, where staff anticipates a need for help for 500 children this year.

“Last year, we were fearful about the economy,” said Gwen Dwiggins, the Crisis Nursery’s client outreach coordinator. “We have more children this year, so we’re hoping to get more toys.”

“I think that everybody has it in them to find a creative way to be able to help somebody else,” Sue noted. “It doesn’t mean they have to know how to paint. It doesn’t mean they have to know how to make cutouts. In their own way, everybody has something they can give.

“You can do anything, as long as you do something to help somebody else – because that’s what it’s about. We’re all on this Earth to help somebody else.”

“Toy Story” will be on display at the Faina home, 115 Jeffry Ranch Ct., Clayton beginning Dec. 6. Directions: Heading towards Concord on Clayton Road, turn right on Atchinson Stage Road, then left on Jeffry Ranch Ct.