West PA Charitable Holiday Lights Display Extensively Vandalized

BEAVER COUNTY, PA — For decades, North Sewickley Township supervisor Emmett Santillo has set up a massive holiday lights display to benefit the Women's Center of Beaver County. On early Saturday, a Grinch vandalized his time-consuming work setting up this year's display by cutting electrical cords connecting several of its installations.

But just like the residents of Whoville in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Santillo's friends and neighbors wouldn't let this Grincy vandal ruin this Christmas labor of love that benefits a worthwhile charity.

Santillo told WTAE-TV he first noticed the vandalism Saturday morning along with two friends assisting him with testing the lights before the display's upcoming debut.

“I had two friends of mine, they were helping me plug everything in, just wondering why some of the outlets weren’t working, and one of them discovered that the wires were cut," he said.

Word of what happened spread quickly throughout the area and within hours a GoFundMe page was established to pay for repairs.

"Countless hours are put into this starting on Halloween," stated Sharon Rombold, who created the page.

"At some point last night in the middle of the night someone went onto (Santillo's) property and
destroyed several displays and cut wiring to just about everything, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Please consider donating to help Emmett and his family fix the damaged lights so everyone can enjoy this holiday treasure."

People did more than consider. As of Monday, more than $7,100 had been pledged to repair the display. Any money raised in excess of repair costs will be donated to the women's shelter.

This year's display will be illuminated beginning November 25 and will be up through Orthodox Christmas on January 7.