Christmas decorating contest planned

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

For the past six years, Don Zombek has decorated his home each Christmas to raise money for Make-A-Wish. This year, he is reaching out to the community in a different way.

While Zombek will still decorate and raise funds for the nonprofit that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, he also wants to do something for all the children in the Elizabeth Forward area. 

He is calling upon his neighbors to join him in decorating their homes for the holidays, and he has organized a contest to offer a bit of incentive for folks to go all out. 

With sponsorship from Candelore’s Barking Beauties and Santa to You, Zombek is organizing an outdoor decorating contest with prizes of $500, $250 and $100 for the best decorated homes in the Elizabeth Forward School District.

“It’s to provide something for the families to do this winter. It has nothing to do with our display, we’re just encouraging as many people to do it as possible,” Zombek said. “I’m 46 years old and I’ve never gotten over Christmas lights.” 

Six families have registered for the contest so far. Zombek would like to see 100 homes signed up so families can spend an evening, or several, driving around the area seeing amazing decorations for the holidays, no matter what COVID-19 restrictions may still be in place.

Zombek said the rules of the contest are simple. 

“The only stipulation is that you have to live within the Elizabeth Forward School District community and you can’t be me or one of the sponsors,” Zombek said. “It will be based on exterior decorations only. We will not go into anyone’s home to judge anything. It will be based on what is visible from the street.”

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