The holidays are finally here and the streets are filled with Christmas lights and cheer. But for one Willow Glen family, it's not just about the lights, it's about bringing the holiday spirit to those in need.
It all started 14 years ago when Dave Pusateri decided to put a box outside his home asking the community for donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"I thought he was nuts. I did not think people were going to put money in there," said Pusateri's wife, Muriel. "They're going to think it's for the PG&E bill and low and behold the neighbor's just all - I mean we have great neighbors and great people that we don't even know will come."
Since that fateful year, the Pusateris have created an elaborate light display that contains approximately 66,000 lights with about 10,000 on the roof alone. All of the lights are also handcrafted designs by Dave made over the years. To make sure all the lights get up in time for December, Dave and Muriel start setting up the first week of November and eventually and set the lights on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
"If it wasn't for the volunteers, we couldn't do it," Dave said.
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Over time, the Pusateris have been able to grant wishes for kids in the Bay Area and in the Central Valley. When asked if they ever thought they'd be doing this every year, Dave shook his head and said, "I never even dreamed of doing it."
The Pusateris don't only have an elaborate lights display but they also host Mr. and Mrs. Clause on specific nights during December for kids to take their photo.
The lights display and Make-A-Wish donation box is located at the corner of Cherry Avenue and Robsheal Drive. They will stay up until Dec. 26.
