1
No. 2 Vol. 12
www.themorristownnews.com
The Greater Morristown YMCA Special Holiday Trial Membership Offers
1 Month Memberships available now thru January 15
Family Adult Young Adult Teen $120 $80 $40 $35
Special Pricing available for adults ages 65+ See www.greatermorristownymca.org 973-267-0704
December 2016
Christmas Lady Lights Up Her Property For Charity
N
By Cheryl Conway eighborhood streets are looking much brighter these days as residents are decking out their homes with holiday lights getting ready for the winter celebrations. There is one center-hall colonial at 19 Bell Drive in Morris Twp. that goes all out every year with a light show that will bring a smile, to not only those who stop by to see the massive decoration display, but to the charity benefiting from the donations left by observers. Homeowner Wendy Bongo, aka ‘The Christmas Lady,’ spends weeks setting up thousands of lights with various themes throughout her half-acre property. Bongo invites visitors to tour her property and then opt to leave a donation for charity. This year, Bongo plans to allocate all proceeds to the Valerie Fund, a non-profit organization that supports health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Adorning her property every year right after Thanksgiving is a tradition Bongo has come to love,
and one that sightseers travel both near and far to witness. “I love doing it,” says Bongo. “Everybody knows me as the Christmas lady. They come every year; they want to see it. I have to keep up what I’ve done in the past; I can’t back down now. I have people come out there saying ‘when are you starting?’ “For me, I love seeing how festive it is,” continues Bongo. “I love giving the people joy, love seeing them light up. I’m a big kid fan. When people come and they walk away feeling so good, they get such happiness from seeing these lights, that’s why I do it ev-
ery year.” Living in her house for the past 20 years, Bongo has set up her light show for the past 10 years. She allocated all proceeds to the Make-a-Wish Foundation for three years to help children with disabilities, but last year switched to the Valerie Fund after learning that her good friend’s daughter, Heather, had been diagnosed with brain cancer. The Bongos donate to the charity every year as well by matching whatever proceeds they receive from visitors to their light show, she explains. “We roughly make $100; then we double it,”
says Bongo. Last year, however, they collected $500, so they doubled it, donating $1,000 to support children with brain cancer. “Heather is cancer free,” says Bongo, but she wants to continue supporting the Valerie Fund for now. “It’s a great program. The money we give will be for another child with brain cancer. This year, I’d like to get higher. I always want to take the next step and continue climbing.” Starting the weekend of Thanksgiving, Bongo gets busy. Ryan, her 17-year old son “is my deloader; he helps me carry out everything from the attic.” Emicontinued on page 2
SELL US Your UNWANTED Gold, Diamonds, Estate Jewelry, Fine Watches, Collectibles & More
AMERICAN $GET CASH TODAY!$ Gold Diamond FREE EVALUATION CONFIDENTIAL BUYERS Since1983
CALL (973) 451-1400
NO OBLIGATION
Mon.-Fri. 10-6 | Sat. 10-2 | Evening Hours by Appt.
East Hanover
64 Route 10 West across from Novartis
www.americancash4gold.com
Darryl Gay Owner & Master Appraiser
American Gold Coupon
20% BONUS* With coupon. *Does not apply to watches, coins or diamonds. Expires 1/21/17