There is a purpose for the thousands of Christmas lights hung and strung by an 82-year-old Monroeville man and his wife, beyond spreading holiday cheer.

“The main reason is so people bring toys,” said Pete Colangelo.

For about 10 years, the retired civil engineer has waited for Halloween to pass so he can start arranging the countless lights in his front and back yard along Edgemeade Drive in time for Christmas. He places two bins by his mailbox and labels it: “Toys for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.”

Throughout December, he and his wife, Carol, drop the donated toys off at the hospital – around 100 each year.

It takes a passerby more than a few minutes to take it all in. Colangelo said the setup includes 70 extension cords, 100 modified cords, 20,000 bulbs and more than 100 various decorations. He has to start the day after Halloween because setting it all up takes about 150 hours.

In the second week of January, Colangelo takes a day to tear it all down. He stores the lights and decorations in a rented garage, his shed, the attic, underneath the deck and at his daughter’s house.

“I just really love doing it,” he said. “Everybody says I’m crazy – I guess I am.”

For their outdoor display, the couple earned a 2011 regional victory for a television news contest and in 2010 and 2013, were voted the best in their ward by Monroeville officials.

The average consumer spent around $61 this season to buy holiday decorations, up from $58 in 2018, according to the National Retail Federation. Colangelo said the secret to saving money on decorations is to buy a few of them when they go on sale the day after Christmas. He also said buying LED bulbs results in energy savings.

“One neighbor told us that when he has a bad day at work, he’ll turn that corner on his way home and he’ll see our lights and it instantly makes his day better,” said Carol Colangelo. “That’s what it’s all about.”

But the real joy comes from donating the toys, the couple said.

For the last eight years or so, the Colangelos have printed fliers for their neighbors and friends so they can continue the toy drive. They estimate collecting more than 800 toys for Children’s over the years.

The hospital expects to house up to 300 children over this holiday season, said Kathi Exler, the hospital’s donation coordinator.

The Colangelos have already dropped off around 50 toys. Pete Colangelo said they have another 60 to drop off before Christmas and more to pick up at his previous workplace, the Army Corps of Engineers.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)