PARAMUS, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A New Jersey man is on a mission to make the holidays a little brighter after beating his battle with cancer.
In 2014, John Russo, of Lozier Court in Paramus, was diagnosed with throat cancer. During his battle, he made a promise to his girlfriend that if he beat the disease, he would build a huge Christmas lights display at his home to celebrate.
Russo went on to beat cancer and has received a clean bill of health every year since. And to celebrate – he has kept his promise by creating one of the neighborhood’s most elaborate holiday displays every year.
“There's two big mega trees, a lot of singing faces, all kinds of decorations and pixel light-up snowflakes,” Russo told 1010 WINS. “It’s something to watch.”
Russo has even programmed a playlist to coordinate with the lights and invites all his neighbors to come check out the display every year.
“My God, you just look outside and see the cars going up the street and around the corner waiting to pull up in front,” he explained.
Russo said he cannot estimate how many people come to see his lights show every year, but everyone is welcome on Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
And he told 1010 WINS that the best part about the display every year is the look on children’s faces when they see the lights for the first time.
The lights display is completely free but this year, Russo is teaming up with Paramus Police to collect donations for Toys for Tots.
He asks that visitors leave unwrapped presents for children in the bin located outside his home.