Over one million lights,
thousands of decorations, and Christmas scenes adorn the Kime Avenue home of
Andrew and Elinor Spadafora in North Babylon. The Spadafora’s have been
decorating their home for Christmas for the past 14 years.
"It started out with just a few decorations,"
Andrew Spadafora said. "Now it’s really become a big thing in the town of
Babylon."
Mr. Spadafora begins decorating Labor Day weekend
and said every decoration is placed with "tender, loving care." Many hours of
hard work go into making this Christmas house special.
"My friends help me," Mr. Spadafora said. "I will
continue to do this as long as I have my health, but it is not a one-man show."
The expenses from this spectacular display,
ranging from the electric bill to 40,000 stuffed animals purchased to be given
out to every child who visits the house, are all paid for by the Spadaforas. Not
going on vacation for 20 years, and saving a percentage of their income has
enabled them to continue this tradition.
A donation box outside of their home collects
money for Schneider Children’s Hospital. The first year, $600 was collected for
the hospital. Last year, (2004) the Spadaforas collected $22,000—and every penny
went straight to the hospital.
"I go to a lot of Christmas houses," Mr. Spadafora
said. "I never saw a donation box for a children’s hospital. Then I took the
tour at Schneider Children’s Hospital, and I was sold. Every night I hear ten
stories about people whose kids have gone there or know someone who has been
affected."
Michelle Pinto, a spokesperson for the Schneider
Children’s Hospital called the couple "amazing". "Andrew and Elinor are
completely unassuming and when I asked them why they do this every year at great
personal expense they just say "it’s for the children."
The Spadaforas donate more than just money to the
hospital. Every year they see what is on the children’s wish lists and purchase
gifts for them. Last year they gave out 30 portable CD players to the children
receiving chemotherapy treatments. Thousands of candy bags were also given out
at their annual outdoor Christmas Party. All the funding for these gifts comes
out of the Spadaforas’ pockets.
This year, (2005) the goal is set high at $30,000.
Over 12,000 people are expected to visit the house, located at 4 Kime Avenue in
North Babylon. It is lit from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day from 4 p.m. to
midnight.
"Thousands come every year," Mr. Spadafora said.
"Everyone tells someone else about it. Last night people came all the way from
Staten Island. I cannot understand it. To raise $22,000 from a Christmas house
lit only 35 nights a year is unbelievable."