ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Seven years ago, Ryan and Emily Johnson asked their parents if they could do something for sick kids at Nemours Children's Hospital.
- St. Cloud family decorates home with 80,000 lights during holidays
- Johnson kids wanted to help Nemours Children's Hospital patients
- Family has raised $5,000 the past 3 years in donations from visitors
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That's how the “Johnson Family Holiday Light Extravaganza” got started.
Families come from all over to marvel at the home on Moore Street in St. Cloud, which has a light-up tunnel, Candyland, even an outdoor theater, and it's illuminated with more than 80,000 festive lights.
It’s free to come check out the house, but donations are collected and go to Nemours. Each of the past three years, the Johnsons have raised about $5,000 for the children's hospital.
Marty Johnson said they do it for Nemours and also to see the faces that light up upon seeing the display.
“I have families that walk up here and the kids come here and give us a hug and say, 'I gotta go look for the nutcrackers,' and that just tears your heart out,” Johnson said.
It takes about five months from setup, putting up, and take-down.
The Johnsons have contemplated taking a break, but every year, they meet new families — strangers who convince them to keep at it.
“Most people don’t even know their neighbors but it’s great to be bringing the entire community together," Ryan Johnson said.
The Johnson family holiday light extravaganza is open from 6 p.m.-11 p.m. until December 28. On Fridays and Saturdays the family offers free S'mores and hot chocolate. The only night they’re offline is Christmas Day.