Irwin, North Huntingdon holiday light displays raise money for nonprofits

Extensive and creative holiday light displays at homes in North Huntingdon and Irwin are spreading holiday joy while providing an opportunity to donate to a good cause.

Daniel and Lisa Disso filled their front lawn, bushes and facade of their house at 1416 Tenth St. in Irwin with sparking lights, lighted Santas, candy canes, elves, choir singers, a Santa locomotive and more. They have hundreds of lights and play holiday music for those who stop to enjoy the display.

The family started putting the display together Nov. 1, and it took two full days to complete it, said Nieko Disso, son of Daniel and Lisa. They are hoping the display will attract donations for the J. Howard Snyder Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 of North Huntingdon, which helps veterans in need, said Kory Bulloch, VFW post commander.

“We’ve been doing this for a couple of years, and this is the first year we decided to go bigger and better and get some money for the local VFW, which needs the money,” Nieko Disso said. “We wanted to support the veterans in the area (and) give back to the community.”

While the collections for the VFW will end at the end of the month, Disso said the lights will remain on each evening through January.

“That’s a really nice gesture,” Bulloch said of the donations earmarked for the post’s relief fund.

In nearby North Huntingdon, Cindy and Al Harff are celebrating 15 years of their Harff Family Musical Christmas Light Show at 1907 Bernice Drive in the Markvue Manor neighborhood. Those driving by the display can listen to holiday songs on their vehicle radio at 88.7 FM.

The Harffs said they had big plans for the 15th anniversary of their display, “but that all changed due to corona.”

The show is dedicated to first responders and essential workers, such as doctors and nurses, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services and dispatchers, Harff said.

Donations received from visitors go to Jamie’s Dream Team, a nonprofit based in White Oak that provides assistance and makes distributions to or on behalf of people who are handicapped, disabled, terminally ill, severely injured or suffering from a serious medical condition, disease or trauma.

Jamie’s Dream Team has received thousands of dollars over the years from people donating through the Harff show, said Kim Shidel, vice president of Jamie’s Dream Team.

“The money is really needed. During the pandemic, we’ve been able to help several families this year, including front-line nurses,” Shidel said.

The Harff display is lit from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, until New Year’s Day.