Giving money to charity is a popular holiday tradition and, in Wall, N.J., one neighborhood has found an exciting way to do that in the form of a spectacular sound and light show.
As reported on NJ.com, the 8th annual Crazy Christmas Light Show wowed spectators this year with 20-foot high flames, rocking Christmas music, and even an appearance by Santa Claus, but it also helped raise approximately $9,000 for local charity Challenged Youth Sports, after raising $10,000 the previous year. Although the event costs thousands of dollars to prepare, attendees are able to watch the spectacle for free thanks to donations from an anonymous benefactor. All that is asked of spectators is a small donation if they can afford it. And judging by the final tally, attendees were very generous this year.
“It’s a very good local charity and we like it when we see projects from them show up in our community, because the money does stay local,” Daniel Brateris told NJ.com before the first show on Dec. 13. Brateris started the first Crazy Christmas Light Show with a group of family and friends in 2005.
This year’s shows had to be rescheduled at the last minute due to bad weather, but the event still managed to attract 10,000 spectators. Although less money was raised this year than in 2012, event organizers were reportedly still pleased with the outcome and are planning to go ahead with the ninth show in 2014.
“Every year we are blown away by the spirit of the crowd and the level of support we get from the community,” event organizer Brian Brateris said via email. “Thank you to everyone who came out to the show, have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
Do you want to see the display for yourself? Head to NJ.com for the full video of the Crazy Christmas Light Show 2013.
