Neighbors Help Man Decorate Home
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20,000 lights adorn the home of Charles and Cindy Knoll each year, but after Charles had heart and back surgery, it was going to be difficult decorating this year. That's when neighbors sprung into action. Video by fox47news.com
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One Pennsylvania home is known nationwide for its festive Christmas lights. This year however, those lights almost didn't make it up. But thanks to some great neighbors who helped Charles Knoll get his decorations up, his house will light up the street once again.
Like clockwork, at 5:00 each evening, as many as 20,000 lights adorn the home of Charles and Cindy Knoll.
"It's like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation when he turns on the lights and the meter starts spinning," says Charles.
There are 17 spiral trees with hand woven garland, fourteen toy soldiers guiding visitors along the walkway, and 2100 lights strung on the roof, around windows, and along the porch.
The magic here can be seen blocks away.
"They used to call it the miniature Christmas village."
But Knoll tells us this breathtaking sight almost didn't happen. Since April, he's had back and heart surgery. He walks with a cane and can't place his design as he wanted to. So, businessman Jim Hartman sprung into action.
Nine and a half hours later, the Knoll's yard was aglow.
"I arranged it from there that we took these lights and put them up for him. I think he feels very good. Christmas is back for him and I think all the other people in the neighborhood liked it," says Hartman.
"This to me is my Christmas present to the public. It don't cost 'em anything to come and look," says Knoll. He also says this is only half of what he has boxed up in the basement.
Every year, strangers stop by with their contribution to what makes this corner lovely.
And with those new bulbs in mind, Knoll says he's already planning ahead to 2012. His winter wonderland will feature a completely lighted tree.
"Look out next year," Knoll says.
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