The Christmas story will be displayed for all to see at First Baptist Church on Dec. 5 and 12 as the Cody Kirsch family team for Relay For Life put up more than 200 nativity scenes.

A room inside the church will be filled with nativity scenes of all types, from a 150-piece figurine set taking up an entire tabletop to nativity flags and cookie jars. Sue Krepps, one of the organizers for the event, said it is a walk-through exhibit where people can take their time.

“When you see it, you go, ‘Wow,’” said Leonard Kirsch, another organizer for the fundraiser.

The third annual fundraiser, called “No Room at the Inn,” will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturdays. The event is donation only, and organizers hope to raise $250 to $300 for Relay For Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society.

“Every penny goes to the ACS,” Krepps said.

Krepps and other family members have been collecting nativity items for many years. Krepps got the idea for the unique fundraiser after reading a magazine story about two teachers in California who had done something similar. She had been trying to come up with something that hadn’t been done in the area, and a display of nativity scenes seemed like a great day.

Now Krepps and the Relay team put up nativity items and manger scenes that are all different. Some of them come from around the world. Many have been donated or given by local people. Even the Christmas tree set up at the fundraiser will have decorations related to the nativity, from the tree skirt to the ornaments.

“It’s just a wide variety,” Krepps explained.

Leonard said, “It’s a place where you can see all different types — different sizes, shapes.”

In addition to raising money for the ACS, the Kirsch Relay team hopes “No Room at the Inn” will teach people about the meaning of Christmas.

“A lot of people don’t know the true meaning of Christmas,” said Crystal Kirsch.

“It’s the time of year when people get so wrapped up ... they forget the reason for the season,” said Krepps. “It’s a way to get a blessing and give a blessing.”

Also at the event, the team will have two posters set up: one to write names of cancer survivors and one to write names of those who have lost their battle to cancer.

The Kirsches and Krepps formed a Relay For Life team a few years ago when young Cody Kirsch was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a cancer that starts in the eye.

Cody was diagnosed with the cancer at 16 1/2-months-old. He lost an eye to the cancer, but he has been cancer free since 2005.

Now Cody is a healthy 6-year-old who has served as a grand marshal for Relay for Life in Surry County.

“He’s just a healthy all go out boy,” said Krepps, Cody’s grandmother.

Grandfather Leonard said Cody loves dinosaurs, and mother Crystal said, “He is very active.”

Crystal said Cody enjoys walking in Relay and understands that he had cancer.

Krepps said, “He’s cool with it. The enormity of it hasn’t hit him yet. He’ll tell you he had cancer, but he’s OK now.”

The Kirsch Relay team has about 10 to 15 people. Krepps said, “We’re a small team, but we’ve got spirit ... Cody’s the reason we have our team.”

Crystal agreed. “Our heart and soul goes into it,” she said.

Prior to Cody’s cancer, Leonard knew very little about Relay for Life.

“I’m all for it now. I do all I can,” he said. “If you’ve got somebody with cancer, you need to try to find a cure.”

Cody’s family is grateful for the money raised by Relay for Life and the work done by the ACS.

“Without the ACS, Cody’s cancer would not have been cured 15, 20 years ago,” Krepps remarked.

Crystal said, “It’s a passion of mine. The money raised goes to cancer research. If it weren’t for the research, many people wouldn’t be here today.”

The team hopes that “No Room at the Inn,” one of its biggest fundraisers throughout the year, will bring in many donations for Relay. Krepps said in prior years, the event wasn’t in a good location and didn’t do too well, but they believe this year will be different.

“Anyone would enjoy this,” Crystal said.

First Baptist Church is at 714 N. Main St., Mount Airy. If anyone would like to bring some of their own scenes to show, contact the organizers. For more information, call Leonard at 710-6396 or Krepps at 648-1064.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.