112707: Jenny McCarthy Lights Christmas Tree at LEGOLAND

Helping to shed light on a cause close to her heart, actress Jenny McCarthy, the author of “Louder Than Words: A Mother’s Journey in Healing Autism,” kicked off the holiday season at LEGOLand theme park by illuminating a 30-foot tall tree constructed entirely of over 245,000 of the interlocking plastic bricks that have been a staple of childhood playtime for over five decades. Her five-year-old son by her side, the star and a team of Carlsbad firefighters brought some Christmas cheer during the ceremony in the form of a $10,000 check made out to Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), an organization with a mission to help California families dealing with the disorder.

Visitors to the Carlsbad, California LEGOLAND can view the world’s tallest LEGO Christmas tree through the end of 2007, and can feel like a kid again all year long at the 128-acre theme park, which boasts over 50 rides and attractions, including the LEGO-Technic Coaster, the Treasure Falls mini-water flume and Knights’ Tournament, a Renaissance-influenced action ride.