Monessen Christmas lights contest to shine for Shunny

By EMILY BENNETT DILULLO
ebennett@yourmvi.com
When Lindsay Beregi posted a Facebook status challenging family members to a Christmas lights contest last year, she had no idea that one year later, she would be participating in another lights contest –– this time, in honor of her late husband.
Sandor “Shunny” Beregi lost his year-and-a-half battle with cancer on Oct. 17. The 50-year-old Monessen resident loved decorating for the holidays, both inside and outside of his home, according to his wife.
During Shunny’s battle, Lindsay served as his sole caretaker and saw him through hospice, and was unable to work full-time during his sickness. A localized fundraiser helped support Lindsay during that difficult life transition, and $7,275 was raised in just one week.
After she made the social media post last year, she said Monessen residents began commenting on the post and asking to become a part of the holiday festivities.
Lindsay then moved toward organizing a city-wide lights contest that saw lots of local participation.
This past summer, Lindsay was asked by the Monessen Community Development Corporation to again organize the contest.
“At the time, my husband had been fighting a year-and-a-half battle with cancer and was not winning his battle,” Lindsay said. “I told (them) as much as I would love to do it, I wouldn’t have the time because I was my husband’s caretaker and I was worried he wasn’t even going to make it to Christmas this year because the cancer was taking over.”
Shortly after, Shunny passed away from a very rare and aggressive cancer, and Lindsay thought that organizing the contest again this year would be “an honor.”
The lights contest, called “Shine Bright for Shunny” began Nov. 28 and will continue through the Christmas season, although the final day for registration is Sunday.
Judging will take place Sunday through Dec. 21. Winners will be announced Dec. 22.
Residents can enter their homes in the second annual Christmas lights contest under the following categories: Most Traditional, Most Festive, Most Unique and People’s Choice. There will also be a category for Best Business. The contest is officially hosted by the Monessen Community Development Corporation.
Participation in the lights contest is completely free of charge, but donations can be made to the dreamfoundation.org, an organization that helps terminally-ill adults and their families by gifting them dreams near the end of their life.
Lindsay said Shunny became too ill too quickly and he unfortunately never had his dream fulfilled. This sad fact doesn’t stop Lindsay from encouraging and uplifting others to have their dreams made a reality.
“Shunny did not have the opportunity to have his dream fulfilled due to his illness,” she said. “We were really excited about it, but it didn’t happen because he was too sick. So I want to see other adults have their dreams be fulfilled.”